CONTINUOUS and

DISCONTINUOUS
FUNCTION
Continuous and Discontinuous Functions

A function can either be continuous or discontinuous.

an example of a graph of a continuous function

Continuity at a Point

A function is continuous at a point 𝑥 = 𝑝 if all three conditions are satisfied:

(i) 𝑓 𝑝 exists

(ii) lim 𝑓(𝑥) exists, that is lim− 𝑓 𝑥 = lim+ 𝑓(𝑥),

𝑥→𝑝 𝑥→𝑝 𝑥→𝑝

(iii) lim 𝑓(𝑥) = 𝑓(𝑝)

𝑥→𝑝

If at least one of these conditions is not satisfied, the function𝑓 is said

to be discontinuous at 𝑝.
Continuity on an Interval

A function is continuous over an open interval (𝑎, 𝑏) if it is continuous at every

number on the interval (𝑎, 𝑏) . A function 𝑓 is continuous over a closed
interval [𝑎, 𝑏] if it is continuous on (𝑎, 𝑏). In other words, lim 𝑓(𝑥) = 𝑓(𝑝) for
𝑥→𝑝
every 𝑝 in the interval 𝑎, 𝑏 , lim+ 𝑓 𝑥 = 𝑓 𝑎 , and lim− 𝑓 𝑥 = 𝑓 𝑏 .
𝑥→𝑎 𝑥→𝑏
Discontinuous Functions
(a) (b)

REMOVABLE DISCONTINUITY
It happens if condition (iii) is
POINT DISCONTINUITY.
not satisfied. A continuity is
It happens if condition (i) is called removable if it can be
not satisfied, that is 𝑓(𝑥0 ) does redefined at a different point to
not exist. make is continuous.
Discontinuous Functions
(c) (d)

JUMP DISCONTINUITY INFINITE OR NON-REMOVABLE

DISCONTINUITY
This type of discontinuity It happens when at least one of
happens when (ii) fails to the one-sided limits does not
hold. exist.
Example: Determine if the functions are continuous at the given values of 𝑥.

(1) 𝑓 𝑥 = 2𝑥 2 − 6𝑥 + 1 at 𝑥 = 1

(i) 𝑓 1 = 2(1)2 − 6 1 + 1 = 2 − 6 + 1 = −3

(ii) lim− 𝑓 2𝑥 2 − 6𝑥 + 1 = − 3 and

𝑥→1

lim+ 𝑓 2𝑥 2 − 6𝑥 + 1 = − 3
𝑥→1

lim 𝑓 2𝑥 2 − 6𝑥 + 1 = −3
𝑥→1

(iii) lim 𝑓 2𝑥 2 − 6𝑥 + 1 = 𝑓 1 = −3
𝑥→1

∴ Therefore 𝑓 𝑥 = 2𝑥 2 − 6𝑥 + 1 is continuous at 𝑥 = 1
Example: Determine if the functions are continuous at the given values of 𝑥.
𝑥+1
(2) 𝑓 𝑥 = at 𝑥 = 2
𝑥−2

2+1 3
(i) 𝑓 2 = = is undefined
2−2 0

𝑓 2 does not exists, condition (i) fails.

𝑥+1
Therefore 𝑓 𝑥 = is not continuous at 𝑥 = 2
𝑥−2
and this discontinuity is asymptotic at 𝑥 = 2 .
Example: Determine if the functions are continuous at the given values of 𝑥.
𝑥−1
3 𝑓 𝑥 = ൝𝑥 2 − 4 , 𝑥 ≠ 1 𝑎𝑡 𝑥 = 1
1, 𝑥=1

(i) 𝑓 1 = 1, condition (i) is satisfied.

𝑥−1 𝑥−1
(ii) lim− = 0 and lim+ =0
𝑥→1 𝑥 2 −4 𝑥→1 𝑥 2 −4
𝑥−1
lim = 0, condition (ii) is satisfied.
𝑥→1 𝑥 2 −4

𝑥−1
(iii) lim = 0 and 𝑓 1 = 1
𝑥→1 𝑥 2 −4
𝑥−1
lim 2 ≠ 𝑓(1)
𝑥→1 𝑥 −4
𝑥−1
0≠1 ,𝑥
≠1
Therefore 𝑓 𝑥 = ൝𝑥2 −4 is not continuous at 𝑥 = 1.
1, 𝑥 = 1
It is a removable discontinuity at 𝑥 = 1.
Refer to the graph for the next examples.

(4) The figure shows the that the function 𝑓 is continuous over the interval [−1, 4]

Graph also show continuity on the interval −∞, −2 and the interval −2, ∞ .
 𝑥 2 + 2𝑥 − 1, −4 ≤ 𝑥 ≤ 1
(5) The piecewise function 𝑓 𝑥 = ቊ shows continuity.
𝑥 + 1, 1≤𝑥≤5

The function 𝑓 𝑥 is continuous over the interval −4, 5 .

Practice Task #4: Continuity of a Function

1. Consider the graph of the function 𝑓 𝑥 .

(a) Find all the points where 𝑓(𝑥)

is discontinuous.

(b) What kind of discontinuity

is each point?
2. Determine whether the function is continuous on the given point. Sketch the
graph.
(a) 𝑓 𝑥 = 𝑥 − 𝑥
5, 𝑥=1
(b) 𝑓 𝑥 = ቊ
2𝑥 + 3, 𝑥 ≠ 1

𝑥 3 −27
3. For what value(s) of 𝑥 is the function 𝑓 𝑥 = discontinuous? What kind
𝑥 2 −9
of discontinuity is each point?

4. Determine if the function is discontinuous. What type of discontinuity is it?

3 − 𝑥 𝑖𝑓 𝑥 < 2
𝑥 2 −2𝑥−3
𝑖𝑓 𝑥 ≠ 3 (b) 𝑓 𝑥 = ൞2 𝑖𝑓 𝑥 = 2
(a) 𝑓 𝑥 = ቐ 𝑥−3
𝑥
5 𝑖𝑓 𝑥 = 3 𝑖𝑓 𝑥 > 2
2
DERIVATIVES
DERIVATIVES

𝒓𝒊𝒔𝒆 𝒄𝒉𝒂𝒏𝒈𝒆 𝒊𝒏 𝒚 ∆𝒚 𝒅𝒚
𝒔𝒍𝒐𝒑𝒆 = = = =
𝒓𝒖𝒏 𝒄𝒉𝒂𝒏𝒈𝒆 𝒊𝒏 𝒙 ∆𝒙 𝒅𝒙

The derivative is simply the slope or rate of change of the function

with respect to its independent variable. The process of calculating
the derivative is known as differentiation.
Notations for Differentiation:

Given the function: 𝑦 = 𝑓(𝑥)

The derivative of 𝑦 may be written in the ff

ways:

𝑑𝑦 𝑑𝑓(𝑥) 𝑑 𝑦 ′ = 𝑓′(𝑥)
= = 𝑓(𝑥)
𝑑𝑥 𝑑𝑥 𝑑𝑥 Lagrange’s Notation
Leibniz’s Notation

𝑦ሶ
𝐷𝑥 𝑦 = (𝐷𝑓)(𝑥) 𝑦ሶ =
𝑥ሶ
Euler’s Notation Newton’s Notation
Derivative Of A Function As The Instantaneous Rate Of Change

Given a function 𝑦 = 𝑓(𝑥),

𝒅𝒚 ∆𝒚
the derivation of the function is = 𝐥𝐢𝐦
𝒅𝒙 ∆𝒙→0 ∆𝒙

𝒅𝒚 𝒇 𝒙 + ∆𝒙 − 𝒇(𝒙)
= 𝐥𝐢𝐦
𝒅𝒙 ∆𝒙→0 ∆𝒙
 𝒅𝒚 𝒇 𝒙 + ∆𝒙 − 𝒇(𝒙)
= 𝐥𝐢𝐦
𝒅𝒙 ∆𝒙→0 ∆𝒙
Example 1: Find the derivative of 𝑓 𝑥 = 𝑥 2

Solution:
𝑓 𝑥 + ∆𝑥 − 𝑓(𝑥 ) 2𝑥∆𝑥 + ∆𝑥 2
𝑓′ 𝑥 = lim = lim
∆𝑥→0 ∆𝑥 ∆𝑥→0 ∆𝑥
(𝑥 + ∆𝑥)2 −𝑥 2 ∆𝑥 2𝑥 + ∆𝑥
= lim = lim
∆𝑥→0 ∆𝑥 ∆𝑥→0 ∆𝑥

(𝑥 2 +2𝑥∆𝑥 + ∆𝑥 2 ) − 𝑥 2 = lim 2𝑥 + ∆𝑥
= lim ∆𝑥→0
∆𝑥→0 ∆𝑥

𝑥 2 + 2𝑥∆𝑥 + ∆𝑥 2 − 𝑥 2 = 2𝑥 + 0
= lim
∆𝑥→0 ∆𝑥
= 𝟐𝒙
 𝒅𝒚 𝒇 𝒙 + ∆𝒙 − 𝒇(𝒙)
= 𝐥𝐢𝐦
𝒅𝒙 ∆𝒙→0 ∆𝒙
Example 2: Find the derivative of 𝑓 𝑥 = 2𝑥 2 − 3𝑥 + 5
Solution:
2
2 𝑥 + ∆𝑥 − 3 𝑥 + ∆𝑥 + 5 − (2𝑥 2 − 3𝑥 + 5)
𝑓′ 𝑥 = lim
∆𝑥→0 ∆𝑥
2[𝑥 2 + 2𝑥 ∆𝑥 ∆𝑥 2 ] − 3 𝑥 + ∆𝑥 + 5 − (2𝑥 2 − 3𝑥 + 5)
= lim
∆𝑥→0 ∆𝑥

2𝑥 2 + 4𝑥 ∆𝑥 + 2 ∆𝑥 2
− 3𝑥 − 3∆𝑥 + 5 − 2𝑥 2 + 3𝑥 − 5
= lim
∆𝑥→0 ∆𝑥
4𝑥 ∆𝑥 + 2(∆𝑥 )2 − 3∆𝑥 = lim 4𝑥 + 2∆𝑥 − 3
= lim ∆𝑥→0
∆𝑥→0 ∆𝑥
∆𝑥 4𝑥 + 2∆𝑥 − 3 = 4𝑥 + 2(0) − 3
= lim
∆𝑥→0 ∆𝑥
𝒇′ 𝒙 = 𝟒𝒙 − 𝟑
 𝒅𝒚 𝒇 𝒙 + ∆𝒙 − 𝒇(𝒙)
𝑥 = 𝐥𝐢𝐦
𝒅𝒙 ∆𝒙→0 ∆𝒙
Example 3: Find the derivative of the function 𝑔 𝑥 =
2𝑥+1

Solution:
𝑔 𝑥 + ∆𝑥 − 𝑔(𝑥 ) ∆𝑥 1
𝑔′ 𝑥 = lim = lim
∆𝑥→0 ∆𝑥 ∆𝑥→0 2(𝑥 + ∆𝑥) + 1 [2𝑥 + 1] ∆𝑥
𝑥 + ∆𝑥 𝑥 1
−
2(𝑥 + ∆𝑥) + 1 2𝑥 + 1 = lim
= lim ∆𝑥→0 2(𝑥 + ∆𝑥) + 1 [2𝑥 + 1]
∆𝑥→0 ∆𝑥
𝑥 + ∆𝑥 𝑥 1 1
= lim − =
∆𝑥→0 2(𝑥 + ∆𝑥) + 1 2𝑥 + 1 ∆𝑥 2(𝑥 + 0) + 1 [2𝑥 + 1]

𝑥 + ∆𝑥 2𝑥 + 1 − 𝑥 2(𝑥 + ∆𝑥) + 1 1 1
= lim =
∆𝑥→0 2(𝑥 + ∆𝑥) + 1 [2𝑥 + 1] ∆𝑥 2𝑥 + 1 [2𝑥 + 1]

2𝑥 2 + 𝑥 + 2𝑥 ∆𝑥 + ∆𝑥 − 2𝑥 2 − 2𝑥 ∆𝑥 − 𝑥 1 𝟏
= lim 𝒈′ 𝒙 = 𝟐
∆𝑥→0 2(𝑥 + ∆𝑥) + 1 [2𝑥 + 1] ∆𝑥 𝟐𝒙 + 𝟏
 𝒅𝒚 𝒇 𝒙 + ∆𝒙 − 𝒇(𝒙)
= 𝐥𝐢𝐦
Example 4: Find the derivative of the function 𝒅𝒙 ∆𝒙→0 ∆𝒙
ℎ 𝑦 = 3𝑦 − 5
Solution:
ℎ 𝑦 + ∆𝑦 − ℎ(𝑦)
ℎ′ 𝑦 = 𝑙𝑖𝑚
∆𝑦→0 ∆𝑦

3 𝑦 + ∆𝑦 − 5 − 3𝑦 − 5
= 𝑙𝑖𝑚
∆𝑦→0 ∆𝑦

3 𝑦 + ∆𝑦 − 5 − 3𝑦 − 5 3 𝑦 + ∆𝑦 − 5 + 3𝑦 − 5
= 𝑙𝑖𝑚 ∙
∆𝑦→0 ∆𝑦 3 𝑦 + ∆𝑦 − 5 + 3𝑦 − 5
3 𝑦 + ∆𝑦 − 5 − 3𝑦 − 5
= 𝑙𝑖𝑚
∆𝑦→0 ∆𝑦 3 𝑦 + ∆𝑦 − 5 + 3𝑦 − 5

3𝑦 + 3∆𝑦 − 5 − 3𝑦 + 5
= 𝑙𝑖𝑚
∆𝑦→0 ∆𝑦 3 𝑦 + ∆𝑦 − 5 + 3𝑦 − 5
Example 4: Find the derivative of the function
ℎ(𝑦) = 3𝑦 − 5
Solution:
3∆𝑦
ℎ′ 𝑦 = 𝑙𝑖𝑚
∆𝑦→0 ∆𝑦 3 𝑦 + ∆𝑦 − 5 + 3𝑦 − 5

3
= 𝑙𝑖𝑚
∆𝑦→0 3 𝑦 + ∆𝑦 − 5 + 3𝑦 − 5
3
= 𝑙𝑖𝑚
∆𝑦→0 3 𝑦 + 0 − 5 + 3𝑦 − 5
3
= 𝑙𝑖𝑚
∆𝑦→0 3𝑦 − 5 + 3𝑦 − 5

𝟑
𝒉′ 𝒚 =
𝟐 𝟑𝒚 − 𝟓
 𝒅𝒚 𝒇 𝒙 + ∆𝒙 − 𝒇(𝒙)
= 𝐥𝐢𝐦
Example 5: Find the derivative of the function 𝒅𝒙 ∆𝒙→0 ∆𝒙
3
𝐽 𝑤 =
2𝑤+1

Solution: 3 3
−
𝑱 𝑤 + ∆𝑤 − 𝐽(𝑤) 2 𝑤 + ∆𝑤 + 1 2𝑤 + 1
𝐽′ 𝑤 = 𝒍𝒊𝒎 = 𝒍𝒊𝒎
∆𝑤→0 ∆𝑤 ∆𝑤→0 ∆𝑤

3 3 1
= 𝒍𝒊𝒎 − ∙
∆𝑤→0 2 𝑤 + ∆𝑤 + 1 2𝑤 + 1 ∆𝑤

3 2𝑤 + 1 − 3 2 𝑤 + ∆𝑤 + 1 1
= 𝒍𝒊𝒎 ∙
∆𝑤→0 2 𝑤 + ∆𝑤 + 1 ∙ 2𝑤 + 1 ∆𝑤

1 3 2𝑤 + 1 − 3 2 𝑤 + ∆𝑤 + 1 3 2𝑤 + 1 + 3 2 𝑤 + ∆𝑤 + 1
= 𝒍𝒊𝒎 ∙ ∙
∆𝑤→0 ∆𝑤 (2𝑤 + 2∆𝑤 + 1)(2𝑤 + 1) 3 2𝑤 + 1 + 3 2 𝑤 + ∆𝑤 + 1
 3
Example 5: Find the derivative of the function 𝐽 𝑤 =
2𝑤+1

1 3 2𝑤 + 1 − 3 2 𝑤 + ∆𝑤 + 1 3 2𝑤 + 1 + 3 2 𝑤 + ∆𝑤 + 1
𝐽′(𝑤) = 𝒍𝒊𝒎 ∙ ∙
∆𝑤→0 ∆𝑤 (2𝑤 + 2∆𝑤 + 1)(2𝑤 + 1) 3 2𝑤 + 1 + 3 2 𝑤 + ∆𝑤 + 1

1 9 2𝑤 + 1 − 9[2 𝑤 + ∆𝑤 + 1]
= 𝒍𝒊𝒎 ∙
∆𝑤→0 ∆𝑤
(2𝑤 + 2∆𝑤 + 1)(2𝑤 + 1) 3 2𝑤 + 1 + 3 2 𝑤 + ∆𝑤 + 1

1 18𝑤 + 9 − 18𝑤 − 18∆𝑤 − 9

= 𝒍𝒊𝒎 ∙
∆𝑤→0 ∆𝑤 (2𝑤 + 2∆𝑤 + 1)(2𝑤 + 1) 3 2𝑤 + 1 + 3 2 𝑤 + ∆𝑤 + 1

1 −18∆𝑤
= 𝒍𝒊𝒎 ∙
∆𝑤→0 ∆𝑤
(2𝑤 + 2∆𝑤 + 1)(2𝑤 + 1) 3 2𝑤 + 1 + 3 2 𝑤 + ∆𝑤 + 1

−18
= 𝒍𝒊𝒎
∆𝑤→0
(2𝑤 + 2∆𝑤 + 1)(2𝑤 + 1) 3 2𝑤 + 1 + 3 2 𝑤 + ∆𝑤 + 1
 3
Example 5: Find the derivative of the function 𝐽 𝑤 =
2𝑤+1

−18
𝐽′(𝑤) = 𝒍𝒊𝒎
∆𝑤→0 (2𝑤 + 2∆𝑤 + 1)(2𝑤 + 1) 3 2𝑤 + 1 + 3 2 𝑤 + ∆𝑤 + 1
−18
=
(2𝑤 + 2(0) + 1)(2𝑤 + 1) 3 2𝑤 + 1 + 3 2 𝑤 + (𝟎) + 1
−18
=
(2𝑤 + 1)(2𝑤 + 1) 3 2𝑤 + 1 + 3 2𝑤 + 1
−18
=
(2𝑤 + 1) 6 2𝑤 + 1
−3
=
(2𝑤 + 1) 2𝑤 + 1
−𝟑
𝑱′(𝒘) = 𝟑ൗ
(𝟐𝒘 + 𝟏) 𝟐
Note: If f 𝑥 is differentiable at 𝑥 = 𝑎 then 𝑓(𝑥) is continuous at 𝑥 = 𝑎

𝑑𝑦
Example 6: Given 𝑦 = 2 − 𝑥 2 + 𝑥 3 , find .
𝑑𝑥
𝑑𝑦
Also, find when (a) 𝑥 = 2, (b) 𝑥 = 0 and (c) 𝑥 = −1
𝑑𝑥

Solution:
𝑑𝑦 𝑓 𝑥 + ∆𝑥 − 𝑓(𝑥 )
= lim
𝑑𝑥 ∆𝑥→0 ∆𝑥
2 − 𝑥 + ∆𝑥 2 + 𝑥 + ∆𝑥 3 − (2 − 𝑥 2 + 𝑥 3 )
= lim
∆𝑥→0 ∆𝑥

2 − 𝑥 2 + 2𝑥 ∆𝑥 + (∆𝑥 )2 + 𝑥 3 + 3𝑥 2 ∆x + 3x(∆𝑥 )2 + (∆𝑥 )3 − (2 − 𝑥 2 + 𝑥 3 )

= lim
∆𝑥→0 ∆𝑥
2 − 𝑥 2 − 2𝑥 ∆𝑥 − (∆𝑥 )2 + 𝑥 3 + 3𝑥 2 ∆x + 3x(∆𝑥 )2 + (∆𝑥 )3 − 2 + 𝑥 2 − 𝑥 3
= lim
∆𝑥→0 ∆𝑥
 𝑑𝑦
Example 6: Given 𝑦 = 2 − 𝑥2 + 𝑥3, find .
𝑑𝑥

𝑑𝑦 2 − 𝑥 2 − 2𝑥 ∆𝑥 − (∆𝑥 )2 + 𝑥 3 + 3𝑥 2 ∆x + 3x(∆𝑥 )2 + (∆𝑥 )3 − 2 + 𝑥 2 − 𝑥 3

= lim
𝑑𝑥 ∆𝑥→0 ∆𝑥
−2𝑥 ∆𝑥 − (∆𝑥 )2 + 3𝑥 2 ∆x + 3x(∆𝑥 )2 + (∆𝑥 )3
= lim
∆𝑥→0 ∆𝑥

∆𝑥 −2𝑥 − ∆𝑥 + 3𝑥 2 + 3x(∆𝑥) + (∆𝑥 )2

= lim
∆𝑥→0 ∆𝑥

= lim −2𝑥 − ∆𝑥 + 3𝑥 2 + 3x(∆𝑥) + (∆𝑥 )2

∆𝑥→0

= −2𝑥 − 0 + 3𝑥 2 + 3x(0) + (0)2

𝒅𝒚
= −𝟐𝒙 + 𝟑𝒙𝟐
𝒅𝒙
 𝑑𝑦
Example 6: Given 𝑦 = 2 − 𝑥 2 + 𝑥 3 , find .
𝑑𝑥
𝑑𝑦
Also, find when (a) 𝑥 = 2, (b) 𝑥 = 0 and (c) 𝑥 = −1
𝑑𝑥

𝒅𝒚
= −𝟐𝒙 + 𝟑𝒙𝟐
𝒅𝒙

𝑑𝑦 𝑑𝑦 2
find when (a) 𝑥 = 2 = −2 2 + 3 2 = −4 + 3 4 = −4 + 12 = 𝟖
𝑑𝑥 𝑑𝑥

𝑑𝑦 𝑑𝑦 2
find when (b) 𝑥 = 0 = −2 0 + 3 0 =0+3 0 =0+0=𝟎
𝑑𝑥 𝑑𝑥

𝑑𝑦 𝑑𝑦 2
find when (c) 𝑥 = −1 = −2 −1 + 3 −1 =2+3 1 =2+3=𝟓
𝑑𝑥 𝑑𝑥
 4
Example 7: Find the slope of the curve 𝑦 = at the point 𝑥 = 1
𝑥+1
Solution:
𝑓 𝑥 + ∆𝑥 − 𝑓(𝑥 ) −4
𝑑𝑦 = lim
𝑚= = lim ∆𝑥→0 𝑥 + ∆𝑥 + 1 𝑥 + 1
𝑑𝑥 ∆𝑥→0 ∆𝑥
4 4 −4
− =
𝑥 + ∆𝑥 + 1 𝑥 + 1 𝑥+0 +1 𝑥+1
𝑚 = lim
∆𝑥→0 ∆𝑥 −𝟒
1 4 4 𝐦= 𝟐
= lim − 𝒙+𝟏
∆𝑥→0 ∆𝑥 𝑥 + ∆𝑥 + 1 𝑥 + 1
at the point 𝑥 = 1,
1 4 𝑥 + 1 − 4 𝑥 + ∆𝑥 + 1 −4 −4
= lim 𝑚 = =
∆𝑥→0 ∆𝑥 𝑥 + ∆𝑥 + 1 𝑥 + 1 2 2
𝑥+1 1+1
1 −4∆𝑥 −4 −4
= lim = = = −𝟏
∆𝑥→0 ∆𝑥 𝑥 + ∆𝑥 + 1 𝑥 + 1 2 2 4
Home Work #4: Derivative

A. Find the derivative of the B. Find the slope of the following

following functions. Write your curves at the given point.
complete solution for each.
(1) 𝑦 = 𝑥 2 − 4𝑥 + 11 𝑎𝑡 𝑥 = 2
1 𝑦 = 𝑥 2 + 4𝑥 − 3
2 𝑦 = 2 − 3𝑥 2 𝑎𝑡 𝑥 = −1
2𝑥 + 3
2 𝐹 𝑥 = 3 𝑓 𝑥 = −𝑥 2 + 3𝑥 − 5 at x = 3
4𝑥 − 5
2
3 ℎ 𝑥 = 3 − 4𝑥 4 𝑔 𝑥 = 𝑎𝑡 𝑥 = 9
𝑥