CONTENTS

S.NO. TOPIC PAGE NO.

1. INTRODUCTION 2

2. CONTINUITY OF A FUNCTION AT A POINT 2

3. CONTINUITY FROM LEFT AND RIGHT 3

4. CONTINUITY OF A FUNCTION IN AN INTERVAL 3

5. REASONS OF DISCONTINUITY 3

6. SOLVED EXAMPLES 4

7. EXERCISE 1 19

8. EXERCISE 2 21

9. EXERCISE 3 23

10. ANSWER KEY 26

1
Continuity

CONTINUITY
1. INTRODUCTION
The word 'Continuous' means without any break or gap. If the graph of a function has no break or
gap or jump, then it is said to be continuous.
Afunction which is not continuous is called a discontinuous function.

Ex. (i) (ii)

(iii) (iv)

At Every Integer

2. CONTINUITY OF A FUNCTION AT A POINT

Afunction f(x) is said to be continuous at a point x = a, if
(i) f(a) exists
(ii) Lim f(x) exists and finite
xa

so Lim f (x)  Lim f (x)

xa  xa –

(iii) Lim f(x) = f(a) .

xa
or function f(x) is continuous at x = a.
If Lim f (x)  Lim f (x) = f(a).
xa –
xa
i.e. If right hand limit at 'a' = left hand limit at 'a'= value of the function at 'a'.
If Lim f(x) does not exist or Lim f(x)  f(a), then f(x) is said to be discontinuous at x =
xa xa
a.
2x2 + 2, 𝑥≤2
Ex.1 Examine the continuity of the function 𝑓 𝑥 = , at the point x = 2.
2𝑥, 𝑥>0
Sol. f  2  22  2  6 ....... (i)

L.H.L. f  2  0   ℎ→0
lim 2 − ℎ +1 5
2
...(ii)

2
Continuity
R.H.L. f  2  0  h0
lim 2  2  h   4 ...... (iii)  f  2  0  f  2  0   f  2

 f x  is not continuous at x=2.

𝑥 + , 𝑥<3
Ex.2 If 𝑓 𝑥 = 4, 𝑥=3 , is continuous at x = 3, then the value of  is
3𝑥 − 5, 𝑥>3

Sol. f  x  is continuous at x = 3
 f  3   x3
lim f  x 
0

4 = lim 3 − ℎ +  = 3 +  =>  = 1
ℎ→0

3. CONTINUITY FROM LEFT AND RIGHT

Function f(x) is said to be
(i) Left Continuous at x = a if , lim f  x   f a  i.e . f(a – 0) = f(a)
xa0

(ii) Right Continuous at x = a if , lim f  x   f  a  i.e. f (a + 0) = f (a)

xa0

Thus a function f(x) is continuous at a point x= a if it is left continuous as well as right continuous at
x = a.
x 2  1 , when x  2
Ex.3 Functionf  x   3 , when x  2
is left continuous at x = 2.


because f  2  0  ℎ→0
lim 2 − ℎ − 1  3  f  2

4. CONTINUITY OF A FUNCTION IN AN INTERVAL

(i) Afunction f(x) is said to be continuous in an open interval (a,b), if it is continuous at every point in
(a,b).
For example, function y = sin x, y = cos x , y = ex are continuous in (– , ).
(ii) Afunction f(x) is said to be continuous in the closed interval [a, b], if it is:
(a) Continuous at every point of the open interval (a, b).
(b) Right continuous at x = a, i.e. RHL|x = a = F(x) x= a
(c) Left continuous at x = b, i.e. LHL|x = b = F(x) x= a

Ex.4 Function f  x    x  1 , 1  x  2 , testing continuity in interval [1, 3].

2

 5 , 2 x3
Sol. Is continuous in the closed interval [1, 3] because it is continuous in (1, 3), right continuous at x=1 and
left continuous at x = 3.

5. REASONS OF DISCONTINUITY
(a) Limit does not exist
i.e. Lim f (x)  Lim f (x)
–
xa  xa
(b) f(x) is not defined at x = a
(c) Lim f (x)  f (a)
xa
Geometrically, the graph of the function will exhibit a
break at x = a, if the function is discontinuous at x = a.
The graph as shown is discontinuous at x = 1, 2 and 3.

3
Continuity
5.1 Continuous Functions
Afunction is said to be continuous function, if it is continuous at every point in its domain. Following
are examples of some continuous functions:
(i) f  x  x (Identity function)
(ii) f x   c (Constant function)
(iii) f  x   a0 xn  a1x n1  .....  an (Polynomial function)
(iv) f  x   sin x,cos x (Trigonometric function)
(v) f  x   ax , ex , e–x (Expoential function)
(vi) f  x   log x (Logarithmic function)
(vii) f  x   sinh x,cosh x, tanh x (Hyperbolic function)
(viii) f  x  | x | , x  | x | , x  | x | , x | x | (Absolute value functions)

5.2 Discontinuous Functions

Afunction is said to be a discontinuous function, if it is discontinuous at atleast one point in its domain.
Following are examples of some discontinuous functions:
No. Functions Points of discontinuity
(i)  x Every Integers
(ii) x   x Every Integers
1
(iii) x0
x
 3
x , , .....
(iv) tan x , sec x
2 2
(v) cot x , cos ecx x  0 ,   ,  2 ,.....
1 1
(vi) sin , cos x0
x x
(vii) e1/ x x0
(viii) coth x , cosechx x0

6. PROPERTIES OF CONTINUOUS FUNCTION

The sum, difference, product, quotient (If r  0) and composite of two continuous functions are always
continuous functions. Thus if f(x) and g(x) are continuous functions, then following are also continuous
functions:
(a) f(x) + g(x)
(b) f(x) – g(x)
(c) f(x) . g(x)
(d)  f(x) , where  is a constant
(e) f(x) /g(x), if g(x)  0 (f)
f [g(x)]
For example -
(i) e2x + sin x is a continuous function, because it is the sum of two continuous function e2x and sin x.
(ii) sin (x2 +2) is a continuous function, because it is the composite oftwo continuous functions sinx and
x2 + 2.
Note :
The product of one continuous and one discontinuous function may or may not be continuous.

4
Continuity
For example:
(i) f(x) = x is continuous and g(x) = cos 1/x is discontinuous whereas their product x cos 1/x is
continuous.
(ii) f(x) = C is continuous and g(x) = sin 1/x is discontinuous whereas their product C sin 1/x is
discontinuous.

Important Point
The discontinuity of a function f(x) at x = a can arise in two ways
(i) If lim f( x) exist but ≠ f(a) or lim f( x) exist but ≠ f(a) , then the function f(x) is said to have
x a x a 
a removable discontinuty.
(ii) The function f(x) is said to have an unremovable discontinuity when lim
xa f(x) does not exist.

i.e. lim f(x)  lim f(x)

x a xa

Ex.5 Show that f(x) = |x – 3|,  x  R, is continuous but not differentiable at x = 3.

 x – 3 if x  3
Sol. f(x) = |(x – 3)|  f(x) = 
– (x – 3) if x  3
lim f (x) = lim – (x – 3) = 0
x3 – x3–

lim f (x) = lim (x – 3) = 0

x3 x3
and f(3) = 3 – 3 = 0
 lim
x3 –
f (x) = lim f (x) = f(3)
x3
 f(x) is continuous at x = 3
For differentiability
f (x)  f (3) – (x – 3) – 0
Lf ' (3) = lim– = lim– = –1
x3 x–3 x3 x –3
f (x)  f (3) (x – 3) – 0
Rf ' (3) = lim = lim =1
x3 x –3 x3 x–3
 Lf ' (3)  Rf ' (3)
so f(x) is not differentiable at x = 3.
d2 y
Ex.6 If x = a(cos t + t sin t) and y = b(sin t – t cos t)., find .
dx 2
dx
Sol. = a(– sin t + t cos t + sin t) = at cos t.
dt
dy
= b(cos t + t sin t – cos t) = bt sin t
dt
dy b d 2 y b sec 2 t  dt
 =  tan t  =
dx a dx 2 a dx
d2 y b 1 b sec3 t
 = sec 2
t  =
dx 2 a at cos t a 2t

5
Continuity

 
2
If y = x  x 2 +1 m d y dy
Ex.7 , then show that (x 2  1) 2  x – m2 y  0 .
dx dx
Sol. Getting

dy

= m  x  x +1
2  m–1 
1
x  m x
 = 
x 2 +1
=
 m
m y
dx  x +1 
2
x 2 +1 x 2 +1

 x 2 +1 dy  my ...(i)
dx
2
 x 2 +1 d y  x

dy
 m
dy
2
dx x 2 +1 dx dx

 x 2  1
d 2y dy dy
x  m x 2 +1 = mmy = my (using i)
dx 2 dx dx
2
or x 2  1 d y  x dy – m 2 y  0
dx 2 dx
Ex.8 Verify Rolle's theorem for the function f(x) = x3 – 3x2 + 2x in the interval [0, 2].
Sol. Here we observe that
f(x) is polynomial and since polynomial are always continuous, as well as differentiable. Here
f(x) is continuous in the [0, 2] and differentiable in the (0, 2).
&
f(0) = 0, f(2) = 2 – 3. (2) + 2(2) = 0
3 2

 f(0) = f(2)
Thus, all the condition of Rolle's theorem are satisfied.
So, there must exists some c  (0 ,2) such that f'(c) = 0
1
 f'(c) = 3c2 – 6c + 2 = 0  c = 1 ±
3
where both c = 1 ± 1  (0, 2) thus Rolle's theorem is verified.
3
Q.9 Verify Rolle's theorem for the functions f(x) = x(x + 3)e–x/2 in the interval [–3, 0].
Sol. Since a polynomial function and an exponential function are every where continuous and
differentiable. Therefore, f(x), being product of these two, is continuous on [–3, 0] and
differentiable on (–3, 0). Also, f(–3) = –3 (– 3 + 3)e3/2 = 0 and f(0) = 0
 f(–3) = f(0) Thus, f(x) satisfies all the three conditions of Rolle's theorem on [-3, 0].
Consequently, there exists c  (–3, 0) such that f'(c) = 0

Now, f(x) = x (x + 3) e–x/2

 – x 2  x  6
 f'(x) = (2x + 3) e–x/2 + (x2 + 3x)(–1/2)e–x/2 = e–x/2
 
 2 
 f'(x) = 0
–x / 2  – x  x  6
2
 e  0
 2 
 – x2 + x + 6 = 0
 x2 – x – 6 = 0  (x – 3)(x + 2) = 0  x = –2, 3
Thus, c = –2  (–3, 0) such that f'(c) = 0
Hence, Rolle's theorem is verified. [1]

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Continuity
Ex.10 Find c of the Lagrange's mean value theorem for the function f(x) = 3x2 + 5x + 7 in the interval [1, 3].
Sol. Given f(x) = 3x2 + 5x + 7 ....(i)
 f(1) = 3 + 5 + 7 = 15 and f(3) = 27 + 15 + 7 = 49
Again f'(x) = 6x + 5
Here a = 1, b = 3
Now from Lagrange's mean value theorem
f (b) – f (a) f (3) – f (1) 49 –15
f'(c) =  6c + 5 =  = 17 or c = 2.
b–a 3 –1 2
Q.11 Verify Lagrange's mean value theorem for the function f(x) = x – 2 sinx in the interval [–, ].
Sol. Since x and sin x are every where continuous and differentiable, therefore f(x) is continuous on [–, ]
and differentiable on (– ). Thus, both the conditions of Lagrange's mean value theorem are
satisfied. So, there must exist at least one c𝜖(– ) such that
f () – f (–)
f'(c) =
 – (–)
Now, f(x) = x – 2 sinx
 f'(x) = 1 – 2 cos x, f() =  – 2 sin  =  and f(–) = –  – 2 sin (–) = – 
f () – f (–)
 f'(x) =
 – (–)
 – (–)
 1 – 2 cos c =  1 – 2 cos c = 1
 – (–)
 cos c = 0  c = ± /2
Thus, c = ± (/2)  (– )
Hence Lagrange's mean value theorem is verified.

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Continuity

SOLVED EXAMPLES

3x 2  ax  a  3 2 h 2 1
Ex.1 If the f (x)  is continuous at 2 2 = .
x2  x  2 4 h 4
x = –2 then find f (–2)
Since the function is continuous then RHL | 1  lim f(x)
Sol. x
2 x
1
2
VoF | x = –2 = RHL|x = –2= LHL| x = –2
3x 2  ax  a  3  2𝑥 − 1 
f(–2) = xlim
2
f (x) = lim
x2  x  2 = lim  

4 2𝑥 − 1 
x2
x
1

This limit exist when 15 – a = 0  a= 15 ...(1) 2

3x 2 15x 18
 lim = lim 2𝑥−1 4+ 2𝑥−1+2
x 2
x2  x  2 1 4+ 2𝑥−1−4
=4
x
2
3(x  2)(x  3) 3(x  3) 3(1)
 lim  lim   LHL |  RHL |
x2 (x  2)(x 1) x2 (x 1) 3 1
x 2
1
x2
f (–2) = – 1 So value of function can not determine. & the
function is discontinuous.
 1 sin x
 1 Ex.3 Given function g(x) = 6 − 2𝑥 and h(x)
; x
 1 cos 2x 2 = 2x2 – 3x + a. Then
 ; x
1 (i) Evaluate h(g(2))
Ex.2 Let f(x) =  p
 2 g(x); x  1
 2x 1 1 (ii) If f(x) =  . Find ‘a’so that
 ; x h(x); x  1
 4  2x 1  2 2
f is continuous.
Sol. (i) h(g(2))
Determine the value of p, if possible. So that
g(2) = 6 − 4 = 2
1
the function is continuous at x = . h( 2 ) = 4 – 3 2+a
2
Sol. V.F. |x 1 = p g(x); x  1
(ii) f(x) = 
2
h(x); x  1
1 sin x
LHL | 1 = lim  f(x) = lim
x 1 
1 1 cos(2x) 6 − 2𝑥, 𝑥≤1
2 x
2
x 𝑓 𝑥 =
2𝑥2 − 3𝑥 + 𝑎, 𝑥>1
2

1
Put x = –h V.F. |x x = 1= 2
2

1  sin
 h R.HL.|x = 1 = lim f(x) = lim (2x2 – 3x + a)
2  x 1  x 1
= lim
h0 1 cos(  2h) =a–1 ... (i)

 
L.H.L| x = 1 = xlim
1
 6 − 2𝑥 = 2
 
1 cos h  1  Since function is continuous
= lim
h0 (h)
2
 1 cos(2h)  L.H.L.| x = 1 = R.H.L.| x = 1 = V.F.| x= 1
 (2h) 2  2=a–1a=3
 

8
Continuity

1  x ; 0  x  2  
Let f(x) = 
A(1 cosh)  1  A
Ex.4
3  x ; 2  x  3 = lim .  =
Determine the form of g(x) = f[f(x)] & hence h0 h2  tanh  2
find the point of discontinuity of g, if any  h 
1  x ; 0  x  2  ( x  2 )([x ]1)
 
Sol. f(x) =   4 
16
3  x ; 2  x  3 LHL | x = 2 = lim 4
 x2 4  16
x

(x 2)

= lim 4 16 2

x2
4 16 x

Put x = 2 – h
4h h
4 4 2  16
2

1  f (x) ; 0  f (x)  2 = lim 4 2h 16 = lim 2 h

2
(fof) (x) = f(f(x)) = 
3  f (x) ; 2  f (x)  3
h 0 4 16 h0 4 . 4 16
Let f(x) = y 4 h / 2 1  h  1
1  y 0  y  2 = h0  h  .   2  (4 h  1)
lim

f(f(x)) =  . 2 .(h)
3  y 2  y  3   (h)
1 1 1
= ln 4. . 
2 ln 4 2
since function is continuous
VF |x 2  RHL|x 2  LHL |x 2
A 1 1
 VF | x2    VF | x2  A=1
1  (1  x ) ; 0  x  1 2  x 0  x  1 2 2 2
1  (3  x) ; 2  x  3  Ex.6 The function
= = 2  x 1  x  2
3  (1 x) ; 1  x  2 4  x 2  x  3

 tan 6x

So the points of Discontinuity 1, 2.   6  tan 5 x 

  ; 0x
Ex.5 Let [x] denotes the greatest integer function &  5 2

f(x) be defined in a neighboured of 2 by b2 
f(x) =  ; x
 2
 x2 ln 4  4 16
[x 1]

 e
, x2

(1 | cos x |)
a|tan x|
b
;
;
x
 4 x  16 2
f (x)  
A 1 cos(x  2)  , x  2
  (x  2)(tan(x  2)) 
 Determine the value of ‘a’& ‘b’if function is
find the values ofA& f(2) in order that f(x) 
continuous at x 
may be continuous at x = a 2
A(1 cos(x  2)) Sol. V.F. |  b2
Sol. RHL | x=2 = lim x
(x  2)(tan(x  2))
x 2 2

Put x = 2 + h when x  2 then h  0 tan 6x

= lim  f (x) = lim   

6 tan 5x
LHL | 
A(1  cosh) x 
x   x   
 5
lim 2
2 2
h0 h tanh

9
Continuity
 (1 cos h)(1 cos2 h cos h) 1
Put x = h  lim 
2 h0 3(1 cos h)(1 cos h) 2
tan( 36 h )  tan 6h
 6  tan  5 5 h   6  cot 5h  lim
b(1 sin x)
lim   2  = lim  =1 RHL |
x

(  2x) 2
h 0  5  h 0  5  2 x
2

RHL |  = lim f(x) 

x
2

x  

Put x  h
2 2
b(1  cos h) b
 lim 
a
 (tan x )
b
= lim  (1 cos x) 4h
h0 82
 
x  
 2 since the function is continuous
 1 b
Put x  h a 
2 2 8
a
cot h
= lim(1 sinh) b ; 1 form 1
a ; b4
h0 2
lim sin h  a cot lim a cos h a
Ex.8 Determine the value of a, b & c for which the
b
=e h0
h =e =e h0 b b
function
since function is continuous so
LHL |   RHL |   VF |  sin(a  1)x  sin x
x x x  ; x0
2 2 2
 x
a f(x) =  c ; x0
1  eb  b  2  (x  bx )  x
2 1/ 2 1/ 2

 ; x0
b = – 1, a = 0  bx 3/ 2
Ex.7 Determine a & b so that f is continuous at is continuous at x = 0.
 1 sin 3 x Sol. V.F. |x  0  c

 ; x
 3cos x
2
2 sin(a 1)x  sin x
  LHL | x = 0 = lim
x   , f(x) =  a ; x x0 x
2  2
 b(1  sin x)  = xlim (cos (a + 1) x) (a + 1) + cos
; x
0 –
 (  2x) x = (cos 0) (a + 1) + cos 0 = a + 1 + 1 = a + 2
 2

Sol. V.F. |  a RHL | x 0  lim f (x)

x x 0
2

(x  bx 2 )1/ 2  x1/ 2
 1  sin3 x   lim
LHL |  = lim f (x) = lim  2
; x0 bx 3/ 2
x  
 3cos x 

(x  bx 2 )  x

2 x x
 lim

2 2

0 x0 bx 3/ 2 x  b𝑥 2  x
form
0 x2
 1
 lim 
Put x   h
2
x 0 
x x  b𝑥 1  2
since the function is continuous

1 sin 3   h 
2  Ca2
1
C
1 3
,a   ,b  R
   lim 1  cos h
3
 lim 
2 2 2

3 cos2   h 
h0 h0 3sin 2 h
but b  0 or b = R0
2 

10
Continuity

x nf (x)  h(x)  1
Ex.9 Discuss the continuity of the function ‘f’defined Ex.11 Let g(x)  lim , x  1 and
n 2x n  3x  3
 1
 x 1 ; 0  x  2 sin 2 .2x 
g(1)  lim be a continuous
 3 x 1 n(sec(.2 x ))

as follows : f(x) =  x  1 ; 2  x  4 funct io n at x =1 find t he value of

x 1
  ; 46
4g(1) + 2f(1) – h (1). Assume that f(x) and
x 5 h(x) are continuous at x = 1.
and draw the gr aph of t he funct ion x n f (x)  h(x) 1
Sol. g(x)  lim
x [0,6] .Also indicat e the nat ure of
n 2x n  3x  3
discontinuous if any sin 2 (.2 x )
g(1)  lim
x 1 n(sec(.2 x ))

sin 2 (.2 x )
 g(1)  lim
x 1 (sec(.2 x ) 1)

Sol.
sin 2 (.2 x ).cos(.2 x )
g(1)  lim
x1 1 cos(.2 x )
(1 cos(.2 x ))(1 cos(.2 x ))(cos(.2 x ))
g(1)  lim
x1 (1 cos(.2 x ))
=2 ,
So the function is discontinuous at x = 1, 4, 5. ....(1)
Ex.10 If f(x) = x +{–x}+ [x], where [x] is the integral
x nf (x)  h(x)  1
part & {x} is the fractional part of x. Discuss g(x)  lim
2x n  3x  3 x  1
;
n
the continuityoffunction in [–2,2].
Sol. f (x) = x + {–x} + [x]
{x} = x – [x] h(x)  1
  3(x  1) ,0  x  1
{–x} = –x – [–x] 
f(x) = x + (–x – [–x]) + [x]  g(x)   2, x 1
f(x) = [x] – [–x]  f (x)
 , x 1
 [–x] = –[–x]– 1 ; x  I  2
 2x ; x  I
f (x)   since g is continuous
1  2[x] ; x  I g (1) = 2
h (1) = 11
 4 ; x  2 f (1) = 4
5 ;  2  x  1 4g(1) + 2f(1) – h(1) = 4.2  2.4 11
 = 8 + 8 – 11 = 5
 2 ; x  1
 Ex.12 Find the locus of (a,b) for which the function
 3 ; 1  x  0
f(x) =  0 ; x 0  ax  b ; x 1
1  3x ; 1  x  2 iscontinuous at

; 0  x 1 f(x) = 
2 bx  a ;
2
x2
; x 1 
1
 ; 1 x  2 x = 1 but discontinuous at x = 2
 4 ; x2

so the discontinuous at all integer in [–2, 2]

11
Continuity
Sol. at x = 1
 a sin x  a tan x
a–b=3 ...(1) (conti) ; x0
 tan x  sin x
& Ex.14 f(x) = 
 n(1  x  x )  n(1  x  x ) ; x  0
2 2
at x = 2  (disc)  sec x  cos x
6  4b  a
If function is continuous at x = 0, find ‘a’.
 x
6  4b  b  3 (a, b)  (6, 3) Now if g(x)  ln 2  .cot(x  a) for
(x, y)  (6, 3)  a
b3
a6 x  a, a  0, a  0. If g is continuous at x = a
then show that g (e–1) = – e.
 2  cos x  3 
Ex.13 The function f(x) =  3 4  is not
Sol. Function f(x) is continuous at x = 0 then
 x sin x x  V.F.| x = 0 = R.H.L.|x = 0 = L.H.L.| x = 0
defined at x = 0. How should the function be
R.H.L.|x = 0 = lim f(x)
defined at x = 0 to make it continuous at x = 0. x 0

Sol. Since the function is continuous at x = 0 then sin x

 a tan x
V.F. | x = 0 = L.H.L.| x = 0 = R.H.L.|x = 0 lim a
= x0
tan x  sin x
 
  a tan x (a sin xtan x 1)
 2x  x cos x  3sin x  = xlim = – lna
f(0) = f(x) = lim
x0  .
0   (sin x  tan x)
4  sin x 
 x  .x 
  x   LHL |x 0 = xlim
0 
f(x)
 2x  x cosx 3sin x  0
= lim ; form ln(1 x  x 2 )(1 x  x 2 )
x 0  x5  0 = lim .cos x
...(1) x0 1 cos 2 x
Put x = 0 – h
 2  cosx  xsinx  3cosx  0
  ; form n(1 h 2  h 4 ) lim h  h .
2 4
= lim
x 0
 5x4 0 = lim
h 0
cos h = h 0
sin 2 h sin 2 h
sinx xcosx sinx 3sinx 0
= lim   ; form  h 
2
x 0  20x3  0 cos h = lim   (1  h )2 cosh = 1.
h 0  sinh 

 x cos x  sin x since function is continuous so

= lim  
x 0  120x  f (0)  LHL |x 0  RHL |x 0
  x sin x  cosx  cosx  2 1 – na = 1
= lim  = =
x 0  120  120 60 1
a
or e
after equation (1) since g(x) continuous at x = a
 x2 x4   x3 x5 
1 2xx1 g(a )  lim g(x )
= x 0 5   ....3x  ...
lim  2! 4!   3! 5!  x a
x     

1  x3 x5 3x3 3x5  ln  2  x 
  .... a  Put x = a + h
= lim   lim 
2xx ....3x
x 0 x 5
 2! 4! 3! 5!  xa tan(x  a)

1  1 3  
= lim     ....
5  4!
x 0 x  5! 
1 3 1 1 1
= – = – =
24 120 24 40 60

12
Continuity

ln 1  h  Ex.16 Let f(x) = x3 – x2 – 3x –1 and h(x )  f (x)

a   h  1 g(x)
 lim  . .  
h0   h   tanh   a  where h is rational function such that
  (a) It is continuous every where expert when
 a
x= –1
1  1 (b) lim h(x)   and
 g(a )    g e   e x 
a  
1
sin 3x  A sin 2x  B sin x lim h (x ) 
(c) x1
Ex.15 If f(x) = (x  0) is 2
x5
Find lim(3h(x)  f (x)  2g(x)) .
conti at x = 0 findA& B and also find f(0). x 0

Sol. Since function is continuous

f (x)
V.F.| x = 0 = RHL|x = 0 = LHL | x = 0 Sol. h(x) 
g(x)
f(0) = lim
x 0
f (x )
x  x  3x 1
3 2
h(x) 
 sin 3x  Asin 2x  B sin x  (x 1)a
...(i)
f(0) = lim  ;
x 0  x5   at x = –1 function is discontinuous when
0 x + 1 then  
form
0
lim h (x)  1
Using Lopital x1 2
 3 cos 3x  2A cos 2x  B cos x  x 3  x 2  3x 1 1
= lim   
x 0  5x 4   x1
lim
(x 1)a 2
Since function is continuous so 3 + 2A+ B = 0
 lim (x  2x  1)(x  1)  1
2
.... (i)
 9 sin 3x  4A sin 2x  B sin x 
x1 (x 1)a 2
= lim  
x 0
 20x 3  
2 1

a 2 a 4
  27 cos 3x  8A cos 2x  B cos x 
= lim   Using (i)
x 0  60x 2 
x 3  x 2  3x 1
Since function is continuous so – 27 –8A–B=0 h(x) 
.... (ii) (x 1)4
 81sin 3x  16A sin 2x  B sin x  g(x) = 4 (x + 1)
= lim   lim(3h(x)  f (x)  2g(x))
x 0
 120x  x 0
...(ii)
 243cos3x  32Acos2x  Bcosx    x 3  x 2  3x  1 
= lim  
x 0  120  lim  3.  (x 1)4

x  0  

Since function is continuous so + x 3


 x 2  3x  1  2(4(x  1))
243  32A  B  3  4  32 39
.... (iii) 3(1)
120
=0 = 1  8 = =–
4 4 4
Using (i) & (ii)
A=– 4 ; B= 5
243  32(4)  5
f(0) = =1
120

13
Continuity
Ex.17 Consider the function
   sin 1 (1 {x}2 )  sin 1 (1{x})
  2  
 1  a  xa na
x x
 ; x0
 ; x0 Ex.18 f(x) =  2({x} {x}3 )
a 2x 2  
g(x) =  2x a x  xn2  xna  1  ; x0
 ; x0  2
 x2
Where {x} is fractional part of x consider a
find the value of ‘a’& g(0) so that the function another function g(x) such that
g(x) is continuous at x = 0.
 f (x) ; x0
Sol. L.H.L.|x = 0  g(x) =  . Discuss the
1  a x  xa x na  2 2 f (x) ; x  0
= x0  
lim
a x 2
x
 continuous of the function f(x) & g(x) at x = 0.
 
Put x = 0 – h. Sol. lim f(x)
RHL|x = 0 = x0
1 a h  ha h na
= lim  1 2 1
h0 ahh2  2  sin (1  (x  [x])  sin (1  x  [x])
= xlim  
a h 1 hna 0 
2(x [x]  (x [x]) 3)
= lim
h 0
h2  1 2  1
  sin (1  x ) sin (1  x)
 a h ln a  0  na  2 
= h 0 
lim
2h
 = xlim
0  2
2x(1 x )
 
1 1
a h (na ) 2  0 (na) 2 cos (1 x 2 ) sin (1 x)
= lim = = xlim
h 0
2 2 0  2x(1  x 2 )
R.H.L.| x=0  cos 1 (1 x 2 )
= lim
 2x a x  xn2  xna  1  2 2 x 0 x
= x0  
lim
x2

Let cos–1 (1 – x2) = 
 
1 – x2 = cos 
Put x = 0 + h
x2 = 1 – cos 
 2h a h – h n 2 – h n a –1
lim   x = 1 cos 
h 0
 h2  when x  0 then   0
+
(2a) n2a  n2a
h
= lim
h 0  
2h = lim
2 2 0 1 cos 
lim (2a) h (n2a) 2  0 (n2a) 2
= h 0 =
2 2  
Since the function is continuous = lim
2 2 0 
g(0) = L.H.L.| x = 0 = R.H.L.|x = 0 2 sin 2
2
(n(2a))2 (na ))2 2
=    2 
2 2 = lim = lim = .
 (n(2a) + na) (n 2a – na) = 0 
4 0 sin  4 0 sin 

2
(n(2a) n2 = 0  n(2a2) = 0 2 2
1 1
 2a2 = 1  a = ± a= . LHL|x = 0 = lim f(x)
x 0
2 2
(na )2  1 1 
 2  sin (1  x  [x] ) sin (1  x  [x]) 
2
g(0) = = (n 2–1/2)2
2 = xlim  
0 
2 2(x [x]  (x [x]) 3
1  1  1
g(0) =   n 2 = (n 2) 2 1 – (x + 1)2
2  2  8

14
Continuity

1  x 2  2x 1 | 4x  5 | ; 1  x  2
|4x – 5| [x] = 
(x 1)  (x 1)3  6 ; x2
(x + 1) (1 – (x + 1)2)
(x + 1) (1 – x2 – 2x – 1)  1 x 
5
 (4x  5) ; 4
  
  sin 1 (x 2  2x)  sin 1 (x) =  4x  5 ;
5
x
2
= xlim 2  4 8
0  
2(x 1)(x  2x)
2

6 ; x2

1 1
cos (x 2  2x)(sin x)
lim
= x0
2(x 1)(x 2  2x)
 1 ; x0
 sin 1 x 
  cos1 (x 2  2x)  1
 0 ; 0x
= xlim .  x 

 2
0 
2(x 1)(x  2)   1  x 1
 1 ;
 2
 f(x) = 
= .  (4x  5) 5
4 2 ; 1 x 
 4
For f(x) since  4x  5 ;
5
x2
LHL|x = 0  RHL|x= 0 so function is discontinuous  4
 6 ; x2
at x = 0
for g(x) 

RHL|x = 0 = xlim
0 
g(x) = xlim
0 
f(x) = .
2
LHL| = lim g(x) = lim 2 2 f(x)
x=0 x 0 x 0

 
= 2 2 xlim 
f(x) = 2 2 = .
0 4 2 2
1
 So, the function is discontinuous at 0, 2 , 1, 2
g(0) = f(0) = .
2 Ans
Ex.19 Discus the continuity offunction in[0, 2] where x  x 
n
Ex.20 Given f (x )   tan  r  sec r 1 ; r, n  N
| 4x  5 | [x] ; x  1 r1 2  2 
f(x) =  ; x  1 . Where [.] is
 [cos x] n
x  x 
f (x)   tan r  sec r 1 ; r, n  N
greatest integer.Also draw its graph. 2   2 
g(x)  lim r 1
n
x 
1   f (x)  tan n 
n

  2 
1 ; x0
 1 
Sol. [cos x] =  0 ; x  x  2 K for x 
4
and the domain of g (x) is

 1 ; 1  x  1 (0,  / 2) where [] denotes the greatest integer
 2 function. Find the value of k, if possible so

that g (x)is continuous x  . Also state the
4
 
points of discontinuous = y of g(x) in 0,  if
 4
any

15
Continuity
Ex.21 Let f (x) = cosec 2x + cosec 22 x + cosec 23
 x
sin  x    
x sin x / 2  2 x + ....... cosec 2n x, x   0, 
Sol. (tan . sec x = =
x  2
2 x
cos cos x cos cos x and g (x) = f (x) + cot 2n x
2 2

sin x cos
x
 cos x sin
x 
2 2 x (cos x)g(x)  (sec x)cos ec x if x  0
= = tan x – tan ) 
x
cos cos x 2 If H (x) = p if x  0
2  ex  e x  2 cos x
 if x  0
x x  x sin x
tan . sec x = tan x – tan
2 2
Find the value of p, if possible to make the
x x
tan x .sec  tan  tan x function H (x) continuous at x = 0.
2
2 2 2 22 Sol. f (x) = cosec 2x + cosec 22x + ...... + cosec 2n x
x x x x
tan .sec 2  tan 2  tan 3
2 3
2 2 2 1 sin(2x  x)
now cosec 2x = sin 2x = sin x sin 2x = cot
x – cot 2x
Similarly cosec 22 x = cot 2x – cot 22 x
tan
x x x x
sec n 1  tan n  tan n cosec 23 x = cot 22 x – cot 23 x
2 n
2 2 2 
cosec 2n x = cot 2 n – 1 x – cot 2n x
 x  ___________________________________
f(x) = tan x – tan  2n 
   f (x) = cot x – cot 2n x
 x   g (x) = f (x) + cot 2n x = cot x
f(x) + tan  2n  = tan x .... (i)
  now H (0 + h) = Lim
h0
( (cos h)cot h + (sec h)cosech )
Using (i) Lim coth (cosh 1) Lim cos ech (sech 1)
= eh 0 + eh 0
  x 
 ln(tan x)  (tan x) n  sin tan   =1+1=2 ...(i)
lim   2  
; x h
 e  2 cos h
h
g(x) = n 1 (tan x) n
4 e
 
H (0 – h) = Lim
h0 h sec h
 k ; x
 4
e h  e  h  2 2(1 cos h) 
  = h0 
Lim   =2
 n(tan x) ; x  h2 h2 
 4 ... (ii)
 
g(x) =  K ; From (1) and (2) H (x) will be cont. if p = 2
 4
 sin tan x  x
 tan
x
   ; 
 2  2n
 4 Ex.22 Given f(x) = x , n  N and
n 1

n(tan x) ; x
 2 cos
2 n 1
4 n1
  (x f (x )  1)cot 2 x if x  0
2

 g(x) =  K ; x
4 g(x) =  if x  0
 k
 
0 ; x Find the value of k if possible, so that g is
 4
continuous at x = 0.

16
Continuity
2 1
x
tan sin
x f(x) =  Hence f(x)
2 = 2 sin 2x x
Sol. T1 
cos x x 1 2
cos cos x 
2 +
x sin 2x
x 2x
2 sin 2 x f(x)+1 =
2 sin 2x
= x x
2sin cos cos x
 2x cot
2
2x
2 2
1  cos x 2(1  cos x)   x0
 T1  sin x cos x  sin 2x Hence g(x) =  sin 2x 

 k x 0
2 1
=  ....(i)
sin 2x sin x a x  1  b sin x  sin bx 
 x n sin x  cos x  cos bx 
   x0
x x 
tan sin 2 Ex.23 f (x) = 
|||ly T2  4  4 
x x x x  a x sin bx  b x sin ax x0
2 cos 2 sin cos cos 
2 4 4 2 tan bx  tan ax

x is continuous at x = 0 (a, b > 0 ,b  1, a  b).

sin 2 Obtain f (0) and a relation between a, b and n.
4
=
x x {compute f (0+) and f (0–)}
sin cos
2 2 a h 1  b sinh  sin bh
n

Limit f (0  h)  Limit
sinh .h n cosh cos bh 
x x Sol.
1  cos
2 sin 2 h0 h0
4  2  1  1
 T2  n
sin x sin x sin x 2 sin x a h 1 h  b sinh  sin bh  h2 
 Limit .   . 
2 
 cosh  cos bh 
2
h sinh  h .h
h0

= ln a · ln
Hence T2  1  1 ...(ii)
sin x 2sin x l1
b sinh  sin bh h2
2 where l = Lim · =
h0 h3 cosh cos bh l2
2 1
Now T1  
sin 2x sin x b sinh  sin bh cosh cos bh
1 1 where l1 = 3 and l2 =
T2   h h2
sin x 2 sin x 1
 b(sinh h)  (sin bh  bh)    1 cos bh   1  cosh 
2 = Lim   . b 2  
h0
 h3    b 2 h 2   h 2 
1 1
T3   1
x
2 2 sin 2
x   sinh  h   sin bh  bh)  3   b 2 1 
2sin
= Lim  
b     .  2  2  
b
2 2 h0   h 3   b3h 3     
  
1 1   1  3  1  2
Tn   = Lim b    b    . 2
x x 
2 n  2 sin 2 n 1 sin h0
  6  6  (b 1)
2n  2 2 n 1
sin x  x   1
2 1 [ Limit ]
f(x) =  Lim h0 x3 6
sin 2x n 2 n 1 sin x
2 n 1

17
Continuity

b (b  1) b
2
2
= Lim · 2   ;
h0 6 (b 1)  3 
n
b
hence f (0 ) = ln a ·  
+
3
a h sin(bh)  b h sin(ah)
f (0–) = Lim f (0  h)  Lim
h 0 h0 tan(bh)  tan(ah)
(multiply Dr & Nr by ah · bh)
a h sin ah  bh sin bh
= Limit
h0 a h .b h [tan ah  tan bh]
h h
ah · a sin( ah)  b sin( bh) · bh
Limit ah bh
= h 0 tan(ah) tan(bh )
ah ·  bh ·
ah bh

(a  b)
[ Limit 1
h0 (a  b) ]
 If f (x) is continuous at x = 0,
then f (0) = 1

18
Continuity

EXERCISE-I

Q.1 Find all possible values of a and b so that f

(x) is continuous for all x  R if  1  sin x 1
 , x
x  1 1 cos 2x 2
| ax  3 | if
| 3x  a |  1
if 1  x  0 Q.6 Let f(x) =  p, x .
  2
f (x) =  b sin 2x
 2b if 0x  2x 1 1
 x  , x
 4  2x 1  2 2
cos2 x  3 if x
Determine the value of p, if possible, so that
Q.2 The function the function is continuous at x=1/2.
 6 tantan6 x5
 5  if 0  x  2 1 x , 0 x  2
x Q.7 Let f(x) = 3  x , 2  x  3 . Determine the
f(x) = b  2 if x  2 

 1 cos x  b  if
a tan x form ofg(x) = f [f(x)] & hence find the point of

2
x discontinuity of g, if any.
Determine the values of 'a' & 'b' , if f is
continuous at x = /2.  ln cos x
 4 1 x 2 1 if x  0
Suppose that f (x) = x3 – 3x2 – 4x + 12 and 
Q.3 Q.8 Let f(x) =  sin 4 x
 e 1
 f (x) if x  0
, x3  ln(1  tan 2x)
h(x) =  x  3 then
 Is it possible to define f(0) to make the function
 K , x 3 continuous at x = 0. If yes what is the value of
(a) find all zeros of f (x) f(0), if not then indicate the nature of
(b) find the value of K that makes h continuous discontinuity.
at x = 3 Q.9 Let
(c) using the value of K found in
(b), determine whether h is an even function. 2  sin 1{x} ·sin
1 2
1{x}
1
for x  0
f(x) = 2 {x} {x} 
3
Q.4 Let 
2 2 2
for x  0
x x x 2
yn(x) = x2 +   . ....... 
(1 x 2 )n1
2 2
1 x (1 x 2 ) where {x} is the fractional part of x.
and y (x) = Lim yn (x) Consider another function g(x) ; such that
n
Discuss the continuity of yn(x) (n  N) and g(x) = f(x) for x  0
y(x) at x = 0 = 2 2 f(x) for x < 0
Q.5 Find the number of points of discontinuity of Discuss the continuity of the functions f(x) &
the function f(x) = [5x] + {3x} in [0,5] where g(x) at x = 0.
[y] and {y} denote largest integer less than or Q.10 Find the number of ordered pair(s) (a, b) for
equal to y and fractional part of y respectively. which the function

f(x) = sgn (x 2  ax 1) (bx 2  2bx 1) is 
discontinuous at exactly one point (where a, b
are integer).
[Note : sgn (x) denotes signum function of x.]

19
Continuity
Q.11 Let the equations x3 + 2x2 + px + q = 0 and
x3 + x2 + px + r = 0 have two roots in common  
(sin x  cos x)cosec x ; x0
and the third root of each equation are  2

represented by  and  respectively. 
Q.16 Let f (x) =  a ; x0

 1 2 3
 e x  ex  e
x

 x log1 x    
 2 3
; 0 x
2
e , 1  x  0  a e x  b e
x


If f (x) =  a, x  0
 If f (x) is continuous at x = 0, find the value

b

 ln ex   x
2

, 0  x 1
of (a2 + b2).
 tan x f (x)
Q.17 Let f (x) = x3 – x2 – 3x – 1 and h (x) =
g(x)
is continuous at x = 0, then find the value of
where h is a rational function such that
2(a + b).
(a) it is continuous every where except when
Q.12 A funct ion f : R  R is defined as x = – 1,
ax 2  bx  c  e nx (b) Lim h(x)   and
f (x) = Lim where f is x
n 1 c·e
1
(c) Lim h(x) 
nx
continuous on R. Find the values of a, b and c. .
x1 2
x n f (x)  h(x) 1 Find Lim 3h (x)  f (x )  2g(x )
Q.13 Let g (x) = Lim , x1 x 0
n 2x n  3x  3
2
sin (·2 )
x
 tan[x]
a  x0
and g (1) = Lim
x1 
ln sec(·2x )
be a
  x
,
x0
continuous function at x = 1, find the value of Q.18 Let f (x) = 3,
4 g (1) + 2 f (1) – h (1). Assume that f (x) and   x  tan x  x  0
b  
 x 3 
,
h (x) are continuous at x = 1. 
If f (x) is continuous at x = 0 then find the
x ax 3  bx 2
2n1
Q.14 Let f (x) = Lim . 
x 2n  1
r
n  a
If f(x) is continuous for all x  R, find the
value of   b  .
r 0
bisector of angle between the lines 2x +y–6=0 [Note: [k] denotes the largest integer less than
and 2x – 4y + 7 = 0 which contains the point or equal to k.]
(a, b).
Q.19 Let f be a real valued continuous function on
a sin x  a tan x R and satisfying f (–x) – f (x) = 0  x  R.
Q.15 f (x) = for x > 0
tan x  sin x If f (– 5) = 5, f (– 2) = 4, f (3) =–2 and f(0)=0 then
find the minimum number of zero's of the equation
ln(1 x  x 2 )  ln(1 x  x 2 )
= for x < 0, f(x) = 0.
sec x  cos x
if f is continuous at x = 0, find 'a' Q.20(a) If g : [a, b] onto [a, b] is continuous show that
there is some c  [a, b] such that g (c) = c.
 x
now if g (x) = ln  2   cot(x – a) for x  (b) Let f be continuous on the interval [0, 1] to R
a,  a such that f (0) = f (1). Prove that there exists a
a0, a>0. If g is continuous at x=a then show
that g(e–1) = – e.  1  1
point c in 0,  such that f (c) = f  c   .
 2  2

20
Continuity

EXERCISE-II

x / 2  1 , 0  x  1 sin[ x]
Q.1 If f(x) =  1/ 2 , 1  x 2, ,x  0
  [ x]  1
g(x) = ( 2x + 1) ( x – k) + 3, 0  x <  , Q.7 If f (x)  cos [ x]/2 , x  0 is a
 [x]
then g [ f (x) ] , will be continuous at x = 1  continuous
if k is equal to  K
,
,x  0
(A) 1/2 (B) 1/6
function at x = 0, then the value of K
(C) 11/6 (D) 13/6
( [.] denotes greatest integer function) is
1 x  3 1 x (A) 0 (B) 1
Q.2 If function f(x) = , is continuous (C) – 1 (D) None of these
x
function, then f(0) is equal to  x, if x rational
Q.8 If f(x) =  lim f(x),
, then x0
(A) 2 (B) 1/4  x, if x irrational
(C) 1/6 (D) 1/3 is
(27  2x)1/ 3  3
(A) 0 (B) 1
Q.3 If function f(x) = 9  3(243  5x)1/ 5  x  0 is (C) – 1 (D) indeterminate
Q.9 Function f (x) = [x] – [x2], where [x] greatest
2

continuous at x = 0, then f(0) is equal to integer  x is discontinuous at

(A) 2 (B) 4 (A) all integers
(C) 6 (D) 2/3 (B) all integers except 0 & 1
(C) at x = 1 only
log(1  2ax)  log(1  bx) (D) all integers except 1
 , x0
Q.4 If f(x) =  x ,  x  2 , 1 x  2
 k , x0 
Q.10 Function f(x) =  4 , x2 , is
3x  2 , x2
is continuous at x = 0 , then k is equal to 
(A) 2a + b (B) 2a – b continuous
(C) b – 2a (D) a + b (A) only at x = 2 (B) for x  2
e 1
1/ x
(C) for x  2 (D) none of these
 1/ x , x0
Q.5 If f(x) = e  1 , then at x = 0,  5x  4
 1 , 0  x 1
 , x  0 Q.11 If function f(x) = 4x 2  3bx
 , 1  x  2 , is
f(x) is
(A) continuous (B) left continuous continuous at every point of its domain, then
(C) right continuous (D) none of these b is equal to
Q.6 If the function (A) 0 (B) 1
(C) –1 (D) 13/3
 1  sin  x ,    x1
 2 1
2x  sin x
f (x)   ax  b , 1  x  3 is continuous in Q.12 If function f(x) = is continuous at
2x  tan1 x
 6 tan  x , 3x  6
 , 12 every point of its domain, then f(0) is equal to
the interval (– , 6), then the values of a and b (A) 1/3 (B) –1/3
are respectively (C) 2/3 (D) 2
(A) 0, 2 (B) 1, 1
(C) 2, 0 (D) 2, 1

21
Continuity
 2x  1
Q.19 Funct io n f(x) = [x] cos  2   is
  
 1 cos 4x , x0 discontinuous at
 x2 (A) every x

Q.13 If f(x) =  a , x0 , then (B) no x
 x
 , x0 (C) every integral point
 16  x  4
(D) every non-integral point
 x  a 2 sin x , 0  x  /4
correct statement is  2x cot x  b
Q.20 If f(x) =  , /4  x  /2 ,
(A) f(x) is discontinuous at x = 0 for any value a cos 2x  b sin x ,  / 2  x  
of a (B) f(x) is continuous at x = 0 when a=8 
is continuous at x = /4, then a – b is equal
(C) f(x) is continuous at x = 0 when a = 0 to
(D) none of these (A) /2 (B) 0
Q.14 Function f(x) = 1 + | sin x | is (C) 1/4 (D) /4
|x|
(A) continuous at all points Q.21 At origin, the function f(x) = | x| + is
x
(B) discontinuous at all points (A) continuous
(C) continuous only at x = 0 (B) discontinuous because |x | is discontinuous
(D) none of these there
Q.15 The sum of two discontinuous functions
(C) discontinuous because | x | is discontinu-
(A) is always discontinuous x
ous there
(B) may be continuous |x|
(D) discontinuous because | x | and both
(C) is always continuous x
are discontinuous there
(D) none of these
 sin2 ax
 , x0
x  cos 1/x , x  0 Q.22 If f(x) =  x , then
Q.16 If f(x) =  ,x 0 , is continuous  1 , x  0
 0
(A) f(x) is discontinuous at x = 0
at x = 0 , then (B) f (x) is continuous at x = 0
(A)  < 0 (B)  > 0 (C) f(x) is continuous at x = 0 if f(0) = a2
(C)  = 0 (D)   0 (D) alternative (A) and (C)
1 sin x  cos x
1  sin x Q.23 If f(x) = , is continuous at x
 , x  /2 1 sin x  cos x
Q.17 If f(x) =    2x is continuous at =, then f() is equal to
 k , x  /2
(A) –1 (B) 2
(C) 1/4 (D) 

x= , then , k is equal to sin 3x , x0
2 
Q.24 If f(x) =  sin x is
(A) 0 (B) 1  k , x  0
(C) –1 (D) 1/2 continuous function, then k is equal to
x sin 1/x , x  0 (A) 1 (B) 3
Q.18 If f(x) =  , x  0 , is continuous at (C) 1/3 (D) 0
 k
x=0, then the value of k will be 1  cos x , x 0

 x
2
(A) 1 (B) –1 Q.25 If f(x) = , is continuous
 k , x0
(C) 0 (D) none of these
at x = 0, then k is equal to
(A) 1/4 (B) –1/2
(C) 0 (D) 1/2

22
Continuity

EXERCISE-III

 1 cos 2x , x  1
 1 sin x 2
Q.1 Consider  p 1
Q.6 Let f(x) =  ,x . If f(x) is
2
 2x  1 1
 ,x
 4  2x  1  2 2
1
discontinuous at x = , then
2
  1
where [*] & {*} are the greatest integer (A) p R  {4} (B) p R   4 
 
function & fractional part function respectively, (C) p R 0 (D) p R
then Q.7 ‘f’is acontinuous function onthe real line. Given
(A) f(0) = ln2  f is continuous at x = 0
that x2  (f(x)  2)x  3 . f(x)  2 3  3  0 .
(B) f(0) = 2  f is continuous at x = 0
(C) f(x) = e2  f is continuous at x = 0 Then the value of f 3 j
(D) f has an irremovable discontinuity at x = 0 (A) cannot be determined
(B) is 2 (1  3 )
2
 x  2 x 
lne (C) is zero
Q.2 If f(x) =   is continuous at x=0,
tan x 2( 3  2)
(D) is
then f(0) must be equal to : 3
(A) 0 (B) 1
(C) e2 (D) 2 x 2 if x is irrational
Q.8 Let f(x) =  if x is rational then :
Q.3 Let f(x) = [2 + 3 sinx ] (where [ ] denotes the 1
greatest integer function) x (0,) .Then num- (A) f(x) is discontinuous for all x
(B) discontinuous for all x except at x = 0
ber of points at which f(x) is discontinuous is : (C) discontinuous for all x except at x=1 or–1
(A) 0 (B) 4 (D) none
(C) 5 (D) infinite
Q.4 Given f(x) = b ([x]2 + [x]) + 1 for x  1 x2
= sin ((x  a)) for x < – 1 |x| e x  |x|
Q.9 Given f(x)  for x  0 =0
1
where [x] denotes the integral part of x, then
x2  1 sgn(sin x)
for what values of a, b the function is e
continuous at x = – 1 ?
(A) a  2n  (3 / 2); b R ; n I
(B) a  4n  2 ; b R ; n I for x = 0 where {x} is the fractional part
(C) a  4n  (3 / 2) ; b R ; n I

function;
(D) a  4n  1 ; b R  ; n I [x] is the step up function and sgn (x) is the
Q.5 y = f(x) is a continuous function such that its signum function of x then, f (x)
graph passes t hrough (a,0). Then (A) is continuous at x = 0
loge (1 3f (x)) (B) is discontinuous at x = 0
Lim is :
xa 2f (x) (C) has a removable discontinuity at x = 0
(A) 1 (B) 0 (D) has an irremovable discontinuity at x = 0
(C) 3/2 (D) 2/3

23
Continuity
Q15 The number of points in (1,3 ) where
xn  sin xn
Q.10 Consider F(x)  Lim for x ? 0, f(x) = ax2  , a > 1 and [x] denote the greatest
n xn  sin xn
integer function is not differentiable is
x 1 f(1) = 0 then (A) 1 (B) 3
(C) 5 (D) 7
(A) f is continuous at x = 1
Q16 Which of the following functions defined
(B) f has a finite discontinuity at x = 1
below are NOT differentiable at the indicated
(C) f has an infinite or oscillatory discontinuity point ?
 x if  1 x  0
at x = 1 2

(D) f has a removable type of discontinuity at (A) f (x )   2 at x = 0

 x if 0  x  1
x=1  x if  1  x  0
Q.11 (B) g(x)  tan x if 0  x  at x = 0
f (x) has an isolated point discontinuity at x=a, 
then
1 sin 2x if x  0
(A) f (x) necessarily has an isolated point (C)  at x = 0
h(x)   2x if x  0
discontinuity at x = a.
1  x if 0  x  1
(B) f (x) can be continuous at x = a (D) k(x)  2  x if 1  x  2 at x = 1

1
(C) f (x) will have non-removable discontinuity  ex for x  1
Q.17 If f(x)   is differentiable
at x = a
a  bx for x  1
1
(D) f (x) may have missing point discontinuity for x R , then :
at x = a (A) a = 1, b = e – 1 (B) a = 0,b = e
(C) a = 0, b = – e (D) a = e, b = 1
 x ln (cos x)
 x0
Q12 If f(x) =  ln (1  x2 ) then :
 x0  x  2x  3
2
x2
0
(A) f is continuous at x = 0 Q.18 f (x)   . If f (x) is
(B) f is continuous at x = 0 but not differen- a
 sin (x)  b x2
tiable at x = 0 
(C) f is differentiable at x = 0
(D) f is not continuous at x = 0. derivable  x  R then

Q13 The number of points at which the function, (A) 2a + b = 7

(B) b + 2 =3
f(x)  x  0.5  x  1  tan x does not have
(C) 2a + b = 13
a derivative in the interval (0,2 ) is :
(D) none of these
(A) 1 (B) 2
Q.19 The function f(x) is defined as follows
(C) 3 (D) 4
 x if x0
Q14 If f(x)  a sin x  be|x|  c| x | 3 and if f(x) is f (x)   x 2 if 0  x  1
 then f(x) is
differentiable at x = 0 then :  x  x  1 if
3
x 1
(A) derivable & cont. at x = 0
(A) b=0, c = 0, a is any real (B) derivable at x = 1 but not continuous at
(B) a = 0, b= 0, c is any real x=1
(C) c = 0, a = 0, b is any real (C) neither derivable nor cont. at x = 1
(D) none of these (D) not derivable at x=0 but continuous at x=1

24
Continuity
Q.20 A function f defined as f(x) = x [x] for Q24 Let f(x) = x3 and g(x) = |x| , Then at x = 0, the
 1 x  3 where [x] defines the greatest composite functions
integer  x is : (A) gof is derivable but fog is not
(A) continuous at all points in the domain of f (B) fog is derivable but gof is not
but non-derivable at a finite number of points (C) gof and fog both are derivable
(B) discontinuous at all points & hence (D) neither gof nor fog is derivable
non-derivable at all points in the domain of f Q.25 [x] denotes the grestest integer less than or
(C) discontinuous at a finite number of points equal to x. If f(x) = [x] [sin  x] in (–1, 1) then
but not derivable at all points in the domain of f f(x) is :
(A) contnuous at x = 0
(D) discontinuous & also non-derivable at a
finite number of points of f . (B) continuous in (–1,0)  (0, 1)
(C) differentiable in (–1, 1)
|x| (D) none
Q.21 Let f (x)  for x  0 & f(0) = 1 then,
sin x
(A) f(x) is continuous & differentiable at x = 0
(B) f(x) is continuous & not differentiable at
x=0
(C) f(x) is discontinuous & not differentiable
at x = 0
(D) none
Q22 The set of all points where the function
x
f (x) 
1  | x | is differentiable is :
(A) (–, ) (B) [0, )
(C) (–, 0) U (0, ) (D) (0, )
(E) None

x  {x}  x sin{x} for x  0

Q.23 If f (x)  
0 for x  0
where {x} denotes the fractional part function,
then :
(A) ‘f’is continuous & differentiable at x = 0
(B) ‘f‘ is continuous but not differentiable at
x=0
(C) ‘f’is continuous & differentiable at x = 2
(D) none of these

25
Continuity

ANSWER KEY
EXERCISE - I
Q.1 a = 0, b = 1 Q.2 a = 0 ; b = 1 Q.3 (a) 2, 2, 3 (b) K = 5 (c) even
Q.4 yn(x) is continuous at x = 0 for all n and y(x) is dicontinuous at x = 0
Q.5 30 Q.6 P not possible.
Q.7 g(x) = 2 + x for 0  x  1, 2  x for 1 < x  2, 4  x for 2 < x  3 , g is discontinuous at x = 1 & x = 2
Q.8 f(0+) = –2 ; f(0–) = 2 hence f(0) not possible to define

Q.9 f(0+) = ; f(0) =   f is discont. at x = 0 ; g(0+) = g(0) = g(0) = /2  g is cont. at x = 0
2 4 2
Q.10 6 Q.11 9 Q.12 c = 1, a, b  R Q.13 5 Q.14 6x – 2y – 5 = 0
1 39
Q.15 a= Q.16 e2 + e–2 Q.17 g (x) = 4 (x + 1) and limit = –
e 4
EXERCISE - II
Q.1 A Q.2 C Q.3 A Q.4 A Q.5 C Q.6 C Q.7 A
Q.8 A Q.9 C Q.10 C Q.11 C Q.12 A Q.13 B Q.14 A
Q.15 B Q.16 B Q.17 A Q.18 C Q.19 B Q.20 D Q.21 C
Q.22 A Q.23 A Q.24 B Q.25 D

EXERCISE - III
Q.1 D Q.2 D Q.3 C Q.4 A Q.5 C Q.6 A Q.7 B
Q.8 C Q.9 A Q.10 B Q.11 D Q.12 C Q.13 C Q.14 D
Q.15 D Q.16 D Q.17 C Q.18 D Q.19 D Q.20 D Q.21 C
Q.22 A Q.23 D Q.24 C Q.25 B
Q.18 4 Q.19 5

26
ROUGH WORK