Module BasicCal Quarter 3 Week 3
Module BasicCal Quarter 3 Week 3
OUTCOME-BASED EDUCATION
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LEARNING QUARTER
MODULE WEEK 3
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MODULE IN
BASIC CALCULUS
QUARTER 3
WEEK 3
Continuity of Functions
Development Team
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What I Need to Know
This module is designed and written to help you have a deeper understanding of
continuity of a function.
Objectives:
At the end of the module, you should be able to:
1. illustrate the limit of a function using a table of values and its graph;
2. determine whether a function is continuous at a number or not;
3. illustrate continuity of a function on an interval;
4. determine whether a function is continuous at an interval or not;
5. illustrate the different types of continuity, such as hole/removable, jump/essential,
and the asymptotic/infinite; and
6. illustrate infinite limits of functions.
What I Know
Directions: Read each item carefully. Choose the correct answer among the choices given.
Use a separate sheet of paper.
1. Is the function 𝑓(𝑥) = 2𝑥 2 − 3𝑥 + 7 continuous at x = 1?
𝑥
2. Given the function h(x) = and the three conditions of continuity, which value of 𝑥 will
√5−𝑥
NOT hold?
A. 𝑥 = 2 B. 𝑥 = 3 C. 𝑥 = 4 D. 𝑥 = 5
𝑥 2 −5𝑥−6
3. Which of the following value of x does make f(x) = 𝑑𝑖𝑠𝑐𝑜𝑛𝑡𝑖𝑛𝑢𝑜𝑢𝑠?
𝑥−3
A. 𝑥 = 1 B. 𝑥 = 2 C. 𝑥 = 3 D. 𝑥 = 4
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4. Which interval is largest over which the function f(x) = √𝑥 + 2 continuous?
Lesson
Continuity of Functions
1 at a Point
As we observed in our discussion of limits in Module 1, there are functions whose limits
are not equal to the function value at 𝑥 = 𝑐, meaning, lim 𝑓(𝑥) = 𝑓(𝑐).
𝑥→𝑐
This leads us to the study of the continuity of functions. In this section, we will be
focusing on the continuity of a function at a specific point.
What’s In
Complete the table of values and illustrate the graph of the function 𝑓(𝑥) = 𝑥 – 1.
𝑥 0 1 2 3
𝑦 = 𝑥−1 ? ? ? ?
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𝑥 2 – 1.
Complete the table of values and illustrate the graph of the function 𝑓(𝑥) =
𝑥+1
𝑥 −1 0 1 2
𝑥2 – 1
𝑦= ? ? ? ?
𝑥−1
What’s New
𝑖) 𝑓(𝑐) exists,
The 𝑓(𝑥) is defined when 𝑥 = 𝑐 exists. Square root of negative
numbers and division by zero results in undefined values. Therefore, these
cases must be checked.
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The following are the different types of discontinuity.
A. Removable Discontinuity
If a function 𝑓(𝑥) is discontinuous at a number 𝑐 but lim 𝑓(𝑥) exists, we say that 𝑓(𝑥)
𝑥→𝑐
B. Jump Discontinuity
A jump discontinuity happens when the limit does not exist at 𝑐 because the limit from
1 𝑖𝑓 𝑥 ≤ 0
the left and the limit from the right have different values. For example, ℎ(𝑥) = {
𝑥 − 1 𝑖𝑓 𝑥 > 0
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C. Essential or Infinite Discontinuity
Solution:
A continuous function is one whose graph can be drawn without lifting a pen from the
paper. A function that is discontinuous at a number 𝑐 has a graph with a break at the point 𝑐
If the discontinuity is removable, the break in the graph can be removed by the replacement
of a single point. Otherwise, the discontinuity is essential.
What Is It
I. The proceeding examples demonstrate how to apply the three steps continuity test to
determine whether a function is continuous at a given point. These examples illustrate
situations in which each of the conditions for continuity succeeds or fails.
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𝑥 2 − 𝑥−2
2. Determine whether the function 𝑓(𝑥) = is continuous or not at 𝑥 = 0.
𝑥−2
𝑥 2 − 𝑥−2
3. Determine whether the function 𝑓(𝑥) = is continuous or not at 𝑥 = 2.
𝑥−2
(𝑥 − 4)2 + 3 𝑖𝑓 𝑥 ≥ 4
4. Determine if 𝑓(𝑥) = { is continuous or not at 𝑥 = 4
𝑥+1 𝑖𝑓 𝑥 < 4
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II. Consider the following functions below which have discontinuities at certain numbers.
Determine whether the discontinuity at each number is essential or removable. If the
discontinuity at a number is removable, redefine the function at that number to make the
function continuous everywhere.
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1. ℎ(𝑥) =
𝑥−2
1
Therefore, the discontinuity of ℎ at 𝑥 = 2 is essential. Below is the graph of ℎ(𝑥) =
𝑥−2
and note that there is no way to connect its two branches.
𝑦
𝑥 2 −5𝑥+6
2. 𝑓(𝑥) =
𝑥−3
Take note that 𝑓(𝑥) is a rational function, it follows that 𝑓 is continuous at each number
in its domain. Since only 𝑓(3) is undefined, 𝑓 is discontinuous at 3. That is condition (𝑖) fails
to hold. Note that
𝑥 2 − 5𝑥 + 6 (𝑥 − 3)(𝑥 − 2)
𝑓(𝑥) = =
𝑥−3 (𝑥 − 3)
Therefore, 𝑓(𝑥) = 𝑥 − 2 for all 𝑐 except when 𝑥 = 3. A sketch of the graph is shown below
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To determine whether the discontinuity is essential or removable, we find lim 𝑓(𝑥). Now,
𝑥→3
𝑥 2 − 5𝑥 + 6 (𝑥 − 3)(𝑥 − 2)
lim 𝑓(𝑥) = lim = lim = lim (3 − 2) = 1
𝑥→3 𝑥→3 𝑥−3 𝑥→3 (𝑥 − 3) 𝑥→3
Since, lim 𝑓(𝑥) exists, the discontinuity at 𝑥 = 3 is removable. We now redefine 𝑓(3)
𝑥→3
as 1 to make 𝑓 continuous at every number. We now have,
𝑥 2 − 5𝑥 + 6
𝑓(𝑥) = { 𝑥 − 3 , 𝑖𝑓 𝑥 ≠ 3
1, 𝑖𝑓 𝑥 = 3
Below is the graph of 𝑓 after redefining f(3), this time we find that the hole has been
removed and we now have a straight line.
y
2 − 𝑥, 𝑥 < 0
3. 𝑓(𝑥) = {
𝑥2, 𝑥≥0
The function 𝑓(𝑥) is continuous at all real numbers 𝑥 except possibly at 𝑥 = 0. If we let
ℎ(𝑥) = 2 − 𝑥, then ℎ is a polynomial function, so ℎ is continuous everywhere. As a result, ℎ is
continuous on (−∞, 0) so that 𝑓 is also continuous on (−∞, 0).
Since 𝑓 is continuous on (−∞, 0) and (∞, 0), the only possible discontinuity of 𝑓 is at
𝑥 = 0. Since
lim− 𝑓(𝑥) = lim−(2 − 𝑥) = 2 − 0 = 2 and lim+ 𝑓(𝑥) = lim+ 𝑥 2 = 02 = 0,
𝑥→0 𝑥→0 𝑥→0 𝑥→0
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lim 𝑓(𝑥) DNE. Thus, 𝑓 is discontinuous at 𝑥 = 0 since condition (𝑖𝑖) is not satisfied.
𝑥→0
The discontinuity of 𝑓 at 𝑥 = 0 is essential since we have shown that the lim 𝑓(𝑥) DNE.
𝑥→0
2 − 𝑥, 𝑥 < 0
Shown next is the graph of 𝑓(𝑥) = { 2 .
𝑥 , 𝑥≥0
What’s More
1. 𝑓(𝑥) = 3𝑥 2 + 2𝑥 + 1 𝑎𝑡 𝑥 = −2
Conclusion:
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2. 𝑓(𝑥) = 9𝑥 2 − 1 𝑎𝑡 𝑥 = 1
Conclusion:
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3. 𝑓(𝑥) = 𝑎𝑡 𝑥 = 2
𝑥−2
Check whether all 3 conditions are satisfied.
Conclusion:
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𝑥+1
4. 𝑓(𝑥) = 𝑎𝑡 𝑥 = 1
𝑥 2 −1
Conclusion:
𝑥 2 −7𝑥+10 3𝑥 2 −5𝑥
1. 𝑔(𝑥) = 2. 𝑔(𝑥) =
𝑥−5 𝑥
A function f(x) is continuous at a point a if and only if the following three conditions
are satisfied:
i. 𝑓(𝑐) is defined;
ii. lim 𝑓(𝑥) exists; and
𝑥→𝑐
iii. lim 𝑓(𝑥) = 𝑓(𝑐).
𝑥→𝑐
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A function is said to have a removable discontinuity at 𝑥 = 𝑐, if
a. lim f(x) exists b. lim f(x) ≠ f(c)
x→c x→c
Either 𝑓(c) is undefined or the value of 𝑓(c) and the limit of the function are not equal.
2. Jump Discontinuity
3. Infinite Discontinuity
This type of discontinuity exists if a function has one or more infinite limits.
Lesson Continuity Of
Fun ctions on an
2 Inter val
What’s New
Here are some facts about continuity of polynomial, absolute value, rational, and square
root functions:
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3. Rational functions are continuous on their respective domains.
4. The square root function 𝑓(𝑥) = √𝑥 is continuous on [0, ∞).
What Is It
2 𝑖𝑓 𝑥<2
Example 1. Consider the function, 𝑓(𝑥) = {𝑥 𝑖𝑓 𝑥≥2 at the interval [0,4].
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Solution:
𝑓(𝑥) is left-continuous at 𝑥 = 0 , since 𝑓(𝑥) = 𝑥² and polynomial functions are
continuous at ℜ.
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Using the given graph, determine if the function 𝑓 is continuous on the following intervals:
a. (−1, 1)
b. (−∞, 0)
c. (0, +∞)
Solution:
Remember that when we say “trace from the right side of 𝑥 = 𝑎” we are tracing not from
𝑥 = 𝑎 on the x-axis but from the point (𝑎, 𝑓(𝑎)) along the graph.
a. We can trace the graph from the right side of 𝑥 = −1 to the left side of 𝑥 = 1
without lifting the pen we are using. Hence, we can say that the function 𝑓 is
continuous on the interval (−1,1).
b. If we trace the graph from any negatively large number up to the left side of 0, we will
not lift our pen and so, 𝑓 is continuous on (−∞, 0).
c. For the interval (0, +∞), we trace the graph from the right side of 0 to any large
number, and find that we will not lift our pen. Thus the function 𝑓 is continuous on
(0, +∞).
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Determine using the given graph if the function 𝑓 is continuous on the following
intervals:
𝑎. (−1,1)
𝑏. [0.5, 2]
Solution:
Because we already have given the graph of 𝑓, we characterize the continuity of 𝑓 by
the possibility of tracing the graph without lifting the pen.
a. If we trace the graph of the function h from the right side of 𝑥 = −1 to the left side of
𝑥 = 1, we will be interrupted by a hole when we reach 𝑥 = 0. We are forced to lift our
pen just before we reach 𝑥 = 0 to indicate that h is not defined at 𝑥 = 0 and continue
tracing again starting from the right of 𝑥 = 0. Therefore, we are not able to trace the
graph of 𝑓 on (−1,1) without lifting our pen. Thus, the function h is not continuous on
(−1,1).
b. For the interval [0.5, 2]. If we trace the graph from 𝑥 = 0.5 to 𝑥 = 2, we do not have to
lift the pen at all. Thus, the function h is continuous on [0.5,2].
Example 4. State the interval(s) over which the function 𝑓(𝑥) = √4 − 𝑥 2 is continuous.
Solution:
From the limit laws, we know that √4 − 𝑥 2 = √4 − 𝑐 2 for all values of a in (−2,2).
We also know that √4 − 𝑐 2 = 0 exists and √4 − 𝑐 2 = 0 exists. Therefore, 𝑓(𝑥) is
continuous over the interval [−2,2].
What’s More
𝑥 𝑖𝑓 𝑥 ≤ 0,
3 𝑖𝑓 0 < 𝑥 ≤ 1
2. Is the function 𝑔(𝑥) = {
3 − 𝑥2 𝑖𝑓 1 < 𝑥 ≤ 4,
𝑥−3 𝑖𝑓 𝑥 > 4,
a. continuous on [1,4]?
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What I Have Learned
What I Can Do
PERFORMANCE TASK (Single Product)
PERFORMANCE STANDARD: The learner is able to formulate and solve accurately real-
life problems involving continuity of functions.
SITUATION: The magazine releases issues every month using bilingual languages,
preferably Filipino and English. The magazine’s focus is on the latest trends and innovations
in mathematics, technologies in learning mathematics, trivia and math entertainment, special
topics in various fields in mathematics, and mathematics research.
GOAL: You have received numerous requests from Grade 11 STEM students to feature in
your column a simplified discussion on the Three Conditions of Continuity and Continuity on
an Interval. They request that the discussion include a brief but attention-catching
introduction, at least three examples from each discussion, important study tips that can
improve students’ learning on continuity of functions, and some helpful tips to consider in
working with continuity.
PRODUCT: Write-up
AUDIENCE: Before submitting your write-up to the layout artist, it will be reviewed by the
editor-in-chief and the magazine’s associate editor.
STANDARDS: Your output shall be assessed along content, organization, the quantity of
researched examples, and accuracy of the computation of the word problems solved.
Adapted from: “Beyond Walls 2.3: Apply It In Real Life” by Albay, Eduardo M.,2020 Basic Calculus (Second Edition), page 48.
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RUBRIC
4 3 2 1
CRITERIA
OUTSTANDING SATISFACTORY DEVELOPING BEGINNING
Contents were clear, Contents were
Contents were Contents were
Content detailed and clear and
somewhat clear. not clear.
impressive. impressive.
Components of the
Components of the Components of
write-up were Components of
Organization write-up were the write-up were
sequenced in logical the write-up
sequenced in a sequenced in a
and interesting showed no order.
logical order. confusing way.
order.
The output
The output The output The output
Quantity of presented one
presented more than presented three presented two
Examples example with no
three examples with examples with examples with
solution or no
solutions. solutions. solutions.
example at all.
The computation
Accuracy of the
was presented in a The computation The computation The computation
computation of
clear clear and was presented in a was presented in was incomplete
the problems
easy-to-understand clear way. a confusing way. and confusing.
solved
manner.
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Assessment
Directions: Read each item carefully. Choose the correct answer among the
choices given.
Use a separate sheet of paper.
1. Is the function 𝑓(𝑥)=5𝑥 2 + 11𝑥 − 4 continuous at 𝑥 = −1?
𝑥
2. Given the function h(x) = and the three conditions of continuity, which value of 𝑥 will
√−𝑥+5
NOT hold?
A. 𝑥 = 2 B. 𝑥 = 3 C. 𝑥 = 4 D. 𝑥 = 5
𝑥 2 −𝑥−6
3. Which of the following value of x does make f(x) = 𝑑𝑖𝑠𝑐𝑜𝑛𝑡𝑖𝑛𝑢𝑜𝑢𝑠?
𝑥−3
A. 𝑥 = 1 B. 𝑥 = 2 C. 𝑥 = 3 D. 𝑥 = 4
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Answer Key
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References:
Department of Education. 2016. Basic Calculus Teaching Guide for Senior High School.
Commission on Higher Education. Quezon City.
Pelias, John Gabriel P. 2016. Basic Calculus. Rex Publishing. Quezon City.
Eduard M. Albay. 2020. Basic Calculus. Diwa Learning Systems Inc. Makati City.
Cuaresma, G.A., Loyola, J.O., Cuaresma, M.C.N., Belarmino, M.C., Natalio, E.S., Carreon,
E.J., Corpuz, D.I., 2004. Analytic Geometry and Calculus I: A Wortext for Math 26. C
& E Publishing, Inc. Quezon City.
Comandante, F.L. (2008). Calculus Made Easy for High School Students. National Bookstore.
https://www.superprof.co.uk/resources/academic/maths/calculus/limits/continuity-on-a-
closed-interval.html
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