Properties of Continuous

Functions

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www.ck12.org Chapter 1. Properties of Continuous Functions

C HAPTER
1 Properties of Continuous
Functions
In the previous concept, the continuity of a function was presented intuitively through the imagery of using a pencil
to draw a graph on a piece of paper (over a certain interval of the domain) and never lifting the pencil off the paper.
As long as the pencil is not lifted off the paper, the graph can be considered to be continuous over that drawing
interval. This is certainly not a rigorous description of continuity, but given this analogy, what expectations might
you have about arithmetic operations on two functions that are both continuous over a common interval; or the
existence of minima and maxima of a continuous function; or the existence of intermediate values between two
function values?

Properties of Continuous Functions

The previous concept identified the characteristics of a function that is continuous at a point, and over an interval.
Let’s explore Given two functions f (x) and g(x) that are continuous over a closed interval [a, b], would you expect
that arithmetic operations on these two functions would also yield functions continuous over [a, b]?
Given the functions f (x) = x + 3 and g(x) = −x + 0.5 in the closed interval [−1, 1], determine if f (x) and g(x) are
continuous in the interval.
The functions f (x) and g(x) are shown in the graph. Inspection of each function graph and its equation, shows that
they are each defined over the closed interval and the function limit at each point in the interval equals the function
value at the point. Both functions are continuous in the interval.

Using the same functions and interval as above, determine if h(x) = f (x) + g(x) is continuous in the interval.
The sum of the two functions is given by h(x) = 3.5, and is shown in the figure. The sum function, a constant, is
defined over the closed interval and the function limit at each point in the interval equals the constant function value
at each point. The sum function is continuous in the interval.

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Still using the interval and functions as above, determine if h(x) = f (x)g(x) is continuous in the interval.
The product of the two functions is given by h(x) = (x + 3)(−x + 0.5) = −x2 + 2.5x − 1.5, and is shown in the
figure. The product function, a parabola, is defined over the closed interval and the function limit at each point in
the interval equals the product function value at each point. The product function is continuous in the interval.

What about the quotient of two continuous functions?

f (x)
Given the functions f (x) = x + 3 and g(x) = −x + 0.5 in the closed interval [−1, 1], determine if g(x) is continuous
in the interval.
x+3
The quotient of the two functions is given by h(x) = −x+0.5 , and is shown in the figure.

In the closed interval [−1, 1], x = 0.5 is the only place where the function h(x) is undefined, and limx→0.5 h(x) does
not exist. The function h(x) is not continuous at x = 0.5, or in the closed interval.
The findings in the above simple functions can be generalized in the following properties.
If f (x) and g(x) are continuous at any real value c over the closed interval [a, b], then the following are also
continuous at any real value c over the closed interval [a, b]:

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www.ck12.org Chapter 1. Properties of Continuous Functions

1. f (x) + g(x)
2. f (x) − g(x)
3. f (x)g(x)
f (x)
4. g(x) , as long as g(c) 6= 0.

Intermediate Value Theorem and the Extreme Value (Min-Max) Theorem are two other properties of a function that
is continuous over a closed interval.

The Intermediate Value Theorem and Extreme Value Theorem

The Intermediate Value Theorem states that if a function is continuous on a closed interval [a, b], then the function
assumes every value between f (a) and f (b).
The Intermediate Value Theorem can be used to analyze and approximate zeros of functions.
Use the Intermediate Value Function to show that there is at least one zero of the function f (x) = 3x4 −3x3 −2x+1 in
the indicated interval [1, 2].
The graph of this function, shown below, is shaped somewhat like a parabola, and is continuous in the interval.

In order to apply the Intermediate Value Theorem, we need to find a pair of x-values that have function values with
different signs. A few values are shown in the table below.

TABLE 1.1:
x 1.1 1.2 1.3
f (x) -0.80 -0.36 0.37

We see that the sign of the function values changes from negative to positive somewhere between 1.2 and 1.3. Hence,
by the Intermediate Value theorem, there is some value c in the interval (1.2, 1.3) such that f (c) = 0.

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The Extreme Value (Min-Max Theorem) is a consequence of the Intermediate Value Theorem.
The Extreme Value (Min-Max) Theorem states that if a function f (x) is continuous in a closed interval I, then f (x)
has both a maximum value and a minimum value in I.

Examples

Example 1

Earlier, you were asked about your expectations for the continuity of functions formed by arithmetic operations on
two continuous functions. The conclusion of this section is that, except for the quotient of functions, arithmetic
operations on two functions that are continuous at a point or in an interval yield a new function that is continuous
at the point or in the interval. With the quotient of two functions, the concern is always to identify where the
denominator is 0; at this location the quotient function is not continuous.

Example 2

Consider f (x) = x3 + 1 and interval I = [−2, 2]. Determine minimum and maximum values.
Since the function is continuous on the closed interval I, this function has a minimum and a maximum on the interval.
The function graph shows that at x = −2 the function has a minimum value f (−2) = −7; and at x = 2, a maximum
value f (2) = 9.

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www.ck12.org Chapter 1. Properties of Continuous Functions

Review

For #1-5, explain how you know that the function has a root in the given interval. (Hint: Use the Intermediate Value
Function to show that there is at least one zero of the function in the indicated interval.):

1. 3 + 2x2 − x + 1, in the interval [-3,-2].

f (x) = x√ √
2. f (x) = x − 3 x − 1, in the interval [9,10].
3. f (x) = x2 + x − 2, in the interval [-3,0].
2 −1
4. f (x) = x24x+3x+2 , in the interval [-1,0].
2
5. f (x) = x+3 − 4, in the interval [-3,0].
6. True or False: f (x) = sin(x) + cos(x) has a root on the interval [0, π].
7. True or False: By the Intermediate Value Theorem f (x) = sin(x) + cos2 (x) has no root on the interval [0, π]
since f (0) = f (π) = 1.
x2 +1
8. True or False: f (x) = cos(x) has a root on the interval [0, π].
9. On which interval is f (x) = x − sin(x) + 1 guaranteed by the IVT to have a root?
1. 0, 2π
 
3 
2. − π3 , π3 
3. − 2π3 ,0
4. [−π, π]
10. Find an interval on which f (x) = ex + x has a root.
11. Find intervals on which f (x) = x3 + 5x2 − 4x − 20 has a root.

For #12-15, use the Extreme Value Theorem to determine whether the given statement is true or false.
q
12. The Extreme Value Theorem guarantees that the function |sin(x3 )| has a minimum value on the interval [-3,
3].
13. The Extreme Value Theorem guarantees that the function (x − 1)3 has a maximum value on the interval [1, 3].
14. The Extreme Value Theorem guarantees that the function x2 + 3x + 2 has a minimum value on the interval
[-3, 0].
4x
15. The Extreme Value Theorem guarantees that the function x2 +3x+2 has a minimum value on the interval [-3, 0].

Review (Answers)

To see the Review answers, open this PDF file and look for section 2.10.

References

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