Bicol University

Bicol University Guinobatan

Agricultural and Biosystems Engineering Department
Guinobatan, Albay

LESSON 2: LIMITS AND

CONTINUITY

Prepared by:

Group 1

GILLEGO, Joseph Eduard G.

LORENZO, Erich B.
MALATE, Jaymark C.
YAO, Euwela

I-BSABE 2
Introduction

"The pursuit of limits in calculus is a journey where numbers dance on the edge of
infinity, revealing the elegance of mathematical continuity." - Mary Cartwright

In this chapter, we will explore the concepts of limits and continuity. One of the most important
things to comprehend in order to get ready for calculus is the idea of the limit. Limits are the
backbone of calculus and calculus is called the Mathematics of Change. On the other hand,
continuity is another far- reaching concept in calculus. A function can be either be continuous or
discontinuous. We will discover a better and far more accurate definition of continuity using
limits.

In calculus, a limit is a fundamental concept that describes the behavior of a function as its input
approaches a certain value. Limits are crucial for understanding continuity, derivatives, and
integrals.

All of the fundamental ideas in calculus are based on the idea of limit as a building block. To
fully understand change, the study of limitations is required. The formulation of the derivative
and integral of a function is based on the evaluation of a limit. “Limits describe how a function
behaves near appoint, instead of at the point.” Limiting behavior occurs in a variety of practical
situations. For instance, absolute value, the temperature at which all molecular activity ceases,
can be approached but never actually attained in practice. For a greater knowledge of calculus,
familiarity with the limit idea is a need. Here in this chapter, we will now start our lesson on the
characteristics of limits and the properties of limits.

Handout Content

The following are the lessons contained in this chapter:

LESSON 1: Limits: Definition and Properties

LESSON 2: Limit Laws (Algebraic and Trigonometric Limits Needed for Derivative)

LESSON 3: Infinite Limits: Asymptotes

LESSON 4: Continuity

General Objectives

At the end of this lesson, you are expected to:

1. Define and describe the limit of a function and use appropriate notation
2. Distinguish the basic limit laws to use in evaluating the limits of different types of function
3. Apply various methods to estimate the limit of a function or to identify when the limit
does not exist.
4. Evaluate the limit of a function by using the squeeze theorem
5. Determine the infinite limits of functions.
6. Find the asymptotes of a functions.
7. Show the continuity of a function at a certain number

Learning Strategies

 Take your time reading and understanding the lessons in this chapter carefully.
 Observe the guidelines and/or instructions for the activities carefully.
 Answers all the activities and critical thinking.
PRE-TEST

Direction: Read the following questions comprehensively. Write the letter of your answer.

1.) Which of the following statements is NOT true?

a.) The limit of a constant is zero.

b.) The limit of a sum of functions is the sum of the limits of the individual functions.

c.) The limit of x as x approaches c is equal to c.

d.) The limit of a multiple of a function is simply that multiple of the limit of the function.

2.) What is the lim (3𝑥 2 + 5x − 9)?

𝑥→−2

a.) 7 b.) -2 c.) 2 d.)-7

3.) What is the lim (𝑥 3 − 4x)?

𝑥→3

a.) 15 b.) 14 c.)0 d.)3

4.) What is the lim (𝑥 2 − 3x + 5)

𝑥→−1

a.) 10 b.) 9 c.) -9 d.) 12

5.) What is the lim (5𝑥 − 3)

𝑥→−2

a.) 13 b.) 12 c.) -13 d.) -12

Lesson 1: Limits: Its Definition and Properties

What are limits?

First of all, we need to familiarize the expression lim f(x), “the limit of f(x) as x
𝑥→𝑎
approaches a, where a is a real number.

The lim f(x) is the real number that f(x) approaches as x approaches a, if such a number exist. If
𝑥→𝑎
f(x)
approach a real number, we will denote that number by L (limit value). We will say that the limit
exists and we will write:

lim f(x) = L, or f(x) → L as x → a

𝑥→𝑎

𝑥 2 −4
Let’s say we are going to find lim f(x) , how are we going to find that?
𝑥→2 𝑥−2

22 −4 0
First, let’s try substituting 2 directly to the equation, = = indeterminate. Since
2−2 0
substituting 2 directly to the equation will result to the equation being indeterminate, we can find
the limits by plugging a value closer to 2 but not exactly 2.

Example 1:
𝑥 2 −4
lim f(x) 𝑥−2
𝑥→2

𝑥 2 −4
In this example, let’s call this equation f(x) = 𝑥−2
, where x = 2.

1 (since we need to plug in number close to 2 but not exactly

2). Let’s try to solve it!

2.12 −4 0.41
f(2.1) = 2.1−2
= 0.1
= 4.1
 Example 2:
2.012 −4
f(2.01) = 2.01−2
= 4.01

Based on what we did, we can see that as the value becomes closer and closer to 2, as
𝑥 2 −4
the limit approaches 4. Therefore, we can say that lim f(x) 𝑥−2
= 4.
𝑥→2

We can write: lim f(x) = 4, or f(x) → 4 as x → 2.

𝑥→2

TRY THIS:

1. lim f(x) [x2+2x-4] =

𝑥→5

𝑥 3 −27
2. lim f(x) =
𝑥→3 𝑥−3

1 1
−
3. lim f(x) 𝑥 3
𝑥−3
=
𝑥→3

√𝑥−3
4. lim f(x) 𝑥−9
=
𝑥→9

1 1
−
√𝑥 2
5. lim f(x) 𝑥−4
=
𝑥→4

GRAPHING

Evaluating limits graphically.

In this part, we are going to identify the limits given the graph.

For example:

lim f(x) Finding the limits as x TAKE NOTE of the

𝑥→3 −
approaches negative 3 from signs to see the
the left side. direction it came from.
x→3-

To find the limits in this graph, we need to follow

different steps:

Step 1: Identify what x is. In this case, x = -3.

Step 2: Since we already know that x = -3, we

need to identify which direction it came from. In this
case, left.

Step 3: To evaluate the limit, we are looking for the

y-value. In this case, imagine a vertical line on the -
3 value on the x-axis.

Step 4: From the left, follow the curve until you get
to the point. In this case, the curve is in the
Therefore, lim f(x) = 1 second quadrant and if you follow the curve until
x → -3 -
you reach -3.

Step 5: Identify where the point of the curve is in

the y-value. In this case, y = 1.
For example (2):

lim f(x) Finding the limits as x

x → -3 + approaches negative 3 from
the right side.

Do the same steps from the last part and we will get lim f(x) = -3. If the limit from the left
x → -3+ side and right side is not
the same, then the limit
Now, what is the lim f(x) =? Finding the limits as x does not exist.
𝑥→−3
approaches negative 3 from
either side. lim f(x) =DNE
𝑥→−3

TRY THIS

From the illustration above, find the limits of the ff.

1. lim f(-3) =

2. lim f(x) =
𝑥→2−

3. lim f(x) =
x → -2+

4. lim f(x) =
x → -2

5. lim f(-2) =

PROPERTIES OF LIMITS

There are properties of limits that we shouldn’t forget and there are a total of four limits.

Algebraic Properties of Limits: If limf(x) and limg(x) exist and c is a constant, then
𝑥→𝑐 𝑥→𝑐

a.) Limit of a Constant = Constant:

limk = k, where k is a constant

𝑥→𝑐

Example:

lim f(x) = 4 lim g(x) = -3

𝑥→𝑎 𝑥→𝑎

What is lim 4f(x)?

𝑥→𝑎

This is a very simple problem and you only need to substitute the value of 4 to the
formula.

Step 1: lim 4f(x), move the 4 to the other side.

𝑥→𝑎
 Step 2: (4) [lim f(x)], it will look like this. After that, substitute 4 to the expression.
𝑥→𝑎

Step 3: (4) (4), it will look like this. After this, you just need to multiply and done.

Step 4: 4x4 = 16
b.) Limit of Sum/Difference = Sum/Difference of Limits

lim [f(x) ± g(x)] = limf(x) ± limg(x)

𝑥→𝑐 𝑥→𝑐 𝑥→𝑐

Example:

lim f(x) = 4 lim g(x) = -3

𝑥→𝑎 𝑥→𝑎

lim [3f(x) ± 5g(x)] = 3 ⋅ lim f(x) ± 5 ⋅ lim g(x) = 3(4) + 5(-3) = 12 – 15 = -3

𝑥→𝑎 𝑥→𝑎 𝑥→𝑎

c.) Limit of Product = Product of Limits

lim [f(x) ⋅ g(x)] = lim f(x) ⋅ lim g(x)

𝑥→𝑎 𝑥→𝑎 𝑥→𝑎

Example:

lim f(x) = 4 lim g(x) = -3

𝑥→𝑎 𝑥→𝑎

lim [f(x) ⋅ g(x)] = lim f(x) ⋅ lim g(x) = 4 ⋅ -3 = -12

𝑥→𝑎 𝑥→𝑎 𝑥→𝑎

d.) Limit of Quotient = Quotient of Limits

𝑓(𝑥) lim 𝑓(𝑥)

lim[𝑔(𝑥)]= [𝑥→𝑐
lim 𝑔(𝑥)
] provided that limg(x) ≠ 0
𝑥→𝑐 𝑥→𝑐
𝑥→𝑐

Example:

lim f(x) = 4 lim g(x) = -3

𝑥→𝑎 𝑥→𝑎

𝑓(𝑥) 1 1 −4
lim [ ]= lim f(x) ⋅ lim 𝑔(𝑥) = 4 ⋅ −3 =
𝑥→𝑎 𝑔(𝑥) 𝑥→𝑎 𝑥→𝑎 3

LESSON 2: Limit Laws (Algebraic and Trigonometric Limits Needed for Derivative)

There are a few laws that we need to discuss for us to be familiar with. In this part, let
f(x) and g(x) be defined for all x ≠ a. Assume that lim f(x) = L and lim g(x) = M. Let c = constant.
𝑥→𝑎 𝑥→𝑎

Sum law for limits

lim (f(x) + g(x)) = lim f(x) + lim g(x) → ag(x) = L + M

𝑥→𝑎 𝑥→𝑎 𝑥→𝑎

Sum law for limits

 lim (f(x) - g(x)) = lim f(x) - lim g(x) → ag(x) = L - M
𝑥→𝑎 𝑥→𝑎 𝑥→𝑎

Constant multiple law for limits

lim cf(x) = 𝑐 ⋅ lim f(x) = cL

𝑥→𝑎 𝑥→𝑎

Product law for limits

lim [f(x) ⋅ g(x)] = lim f(x) ⋅ lim g(x) = L ⋅ M
𝑥→𝑎 𝑥→𝑎 𝑥→𝑎

Quotient law for limits

𝑓(𝑥) lim 𝑓(𝑥) 𝐿

lim[𝑔(𝑥)]= [𝑥→𝑐
lim 𝑔(𝑥)
]= 𝑀
for M ≠ 0.
𝑥→𝑐 𝑥→𝑐

Power law for limits

lim (f(x))n = (lim f(x))n = Ln for every positive integer n.

𝑥→𝑎 𝑥→𝑎

Root law for limits

𝑛 𝑛
lim √𝑓(𝑥) = 𝑛√ lim 𝑓(𝑥) = √𝐿 for all L if n is odd and for L ≥ 0 if n is even and f(x) ≥
𝑥→𝑎 𝑥→𝑎

0.

Evaluating a Limit Using Limit Laws

With the limit laws, here’s an example of how to use those, especially if different laws will
be applied multiple times.

Example:
First, let’s analyze what laws should we use. Remember
lim (4x + 2) that each law has a requirement that, at each application
𝑥→−3
of a limit law, new limits must exist for the limit law to be
applied.

lim (4x + 2) = lim 4𝑥 + lim 2 In this case, we will apply the sum law.
𝑥→−3 𝑥→−3 𝑥→−3

= 4 ∙ lim 𝑥 + lim 2 Next is to apply the constant

𝑥→−3 𝑥→−3
multiple law.

After applying every law applicable,

= 4(−3) + 2 = 10 solve the basic limit results then
simplify.

Try this

1. lim (2𝑥 − 1) √𝑥 + 4 =
𝑥→6

2. lim (5𝑥 ∙ 4) =
𝑥→2

4𝑥
3. lim ( ) =
𝑥→−4 −3
 √𝑥
4. lim (16 − 𝑥)(−3) =
𝑥→16

5. lim √𝑥 − 4 =
𝑥→2

Special Trigonometric and Exponential Limits

Trigonometric Limit
𝑠𝑖𝑛 𝑥 1−𝑐𝑜𝑠 𝑥 𝑡𝑎𝑛 𝑥
lim 𝑥
=1 lim 𝑥
=0 lim 𝑥
=1
𝑥→0 𝑥→0 𝑥→0

Exponential Limit
𝑒 𝑥 −1
lim =1
𝑥→0 𝑥

Calculating the limit using the Squeeze Theorem

Squeeze Theorem - allows you to find the limit of a function if the function is always greater
than one function and less than another function with limits that are known.

- This is also known as the sandwich theorem or the pinching theorem...

- This is used for calculating the limits of given trigonometric functions.
- This theorem establishes the limit of a function by comparing two other functions whose
limits are known.

These are the Squeeze Theorem formulas used for calculating trig limits
𝒔𝒊𝒏𝜽 𝟏−𝒄𝒐𝒔𝜽 𝒕𝒂𝒏𝜽
𝐋𝐢𝐦 𝜽
=𝟏 𝐋𝐢𝐦 𝜽
=𝟏 𝐋𝐢𝐦 𝜽
=𝟏
𝜽→𝟎 𝜽→𝟎 𝜽→𝟎

Sample Problems

Example #1
𝒔𝒊𝒏 𝒙 𝒔𝒊𝒏 𝟐𝒙
𝐋𝐢𝐦
𝒙→𝟎 𝟏 − 𝒄𝒐𝒔 𝒙
𝒔𝒊𝒏 𝟎 𝒔𝒊𝒏 𝟐(𝟎)
= 𝟏−𝒄𝒐𝒔 𝟎

𝟎
=𝟎 Direct substitution is not applicable.

𝒔𝒊𝒏 𝒙 𝒔𝒊𝒏 𝟐𝒙
𝐋𝐢𝐦
𝒙→𝟎 𝟏 − 𝒄𝒐𝒔 𝒙
𝒔𝒊𝒏 𝒙 (𝟐𝒔𝒊𝒏 𝒙 𝒄𝒐𝒔 𝒙)
= 𝟏−𝒄𝒐𝒔 𝒙

𝟐 𝒔𝒊𝒏𝟐 𝒙 𝒄𝒐𝒔 𝒙
= 𝟏−𝒄𝒐𝒔 𝒙

𝟐 (𝟏− 𝒄𝒐𝒔𝟐 𝒙) 𝒄𝒐𝒔 𝒙

= 𝟏−𝒄𝒐𝒔 𝒙

𝟐 (𝟏− 𝒄𝒐𝒔 𝒙)(𝟏+𝒄𝒐𝒔 𝒙)𝒄𝒐𝒔 𝒙

= 𝟏−𝒄𝒐𝒔 𝒙

= 2(1 + cos 𝑥) cos 𝑥

= 2(1 + cos 0) cos 0

= 2(1 + 1)1
=4

Example #2
𝒔𝒊𝒏𝟑 𝒙 𝒔𝒊𝒏𝟑 𝒙
𝐋𝐢𝐦 = 𝒔𝒊𝒏 𝒙
𝒙→𝟎 𝒔𝒊𝒏 𝒙−𝒕𝒂𝒏 𝒙 𝒔𝒊𝒏 𝒙−
𝒄𝒐𝒔 𝒙

𝒔𝒊𝒏𝟑 𝒙
= 𝒄𝒐𝒔 𝒙 𝒔𝒊𝒏 𝒙 −𝒔𝒊𝒏 𝒙
𝒄𝒐𝒔 𝒙
2
cos 𝑥 𝒔𝒊𝒏𝟑 𝒙
=𝒔𝒊𝒏 𝒙 (𝒄𝒐𝒔 𝒙−𝟏)

cos 𝑥 (𝟏− 𝒄𝒐𝒔𝟐 𝒙)

= 𝒄𝒐𝒔 𝒙−𝟏

cos 𝑥 (𝟏+𝐜𝐨 𝐬 𝒙)(𝟏− 𝒄𝒐𝒔 𝒙)

= −(𝟏− 𝒄𝒐𝒔 𝒙)

= − cos 𝑥 (1 + cos 𝑥)

= − cos 0 (1 + cos 0)

= −1 (1 + 1)

= -2

Example #3
𝒔𝒊𝒏 𝟐𝒙
𝐋𝐢𝐦
𝒙→
𝝅 𝒄𝒐𝒔𝟐 𝒙
𝟐
𝝅
𝒔𝒊𝒏 𝟐( )
𝟐
= 𝝅 𝟐
(𝒄𝒐𝒔 )
𝟐

𝒔𝒊𝒏 𝝅
=
(𝟎)𝟐

𝟎
=0 Direct substitution is not applicable.

𝒔𝒊𝒏 𝟐𝒙
𝐋𝐢𝐦
𝒙→
𝝅 𝒄𝒐𝒔𝟐 𝒙
𝟐

𝟐 𝒔𝒊𝒏 𝒙 𝒄𝒐𝒔 𝒙
= 𝒄𝒐𝒔 𝒙 𝒄𝒐𝒔 𝒙

𝟐 𝒔𝒊𝒏 𝒙
= 𝒄𝒐𝒔 𝒙
𝝅
𝟐 𝒔𝒊𝒏 ( )
𝟐
= 𝝅
𝒄𝒐𝒔 ( )
𝟐

𝟐 (𝟏)
= 𝟎
=∞

Try This

𝒔𝒊𝒏 𝟐𝒙
1. 𝐋𝐢𝐦
𝒙→𝟎 𝒄𝒐𝒔𝟐 𝒙

𝒔𝒊𝒏𝟐 𝒙
2. 𝐋𝐢𝐦
𝝅 𝒙𝟐
𝒙→
𝟒
LESSON 3: Infinite Limits: Asymptotes

3.1 LIMIT AT INFINITY AND INFINITE LIMIT

Limits at infinity tells us the end behavior of a function on an infinite interval.

These limits are expressed as follows:

𝐋𝐢𝐦 𝒇(𝒙) = 𝑳
𝒙→±∞

The line y=L is the horizontal asymptote of the given function f(x)

Shortcuts for finding limits at infinity:

 Divide each term of the given function by the term with the highest power in the
denominator.

 Find the limit at infinity in the new form

Note:

However, please bear in mind that prior to applying these suggested steps, express your function
first in its simplest form especially for rational functions (free from common factors, etc...)

Basic algorithms for finding limits at infinity:

 If the degree (n) of the numerator is less than that of the denominator (m), then the
limit of the rational function is

 If the degrees of both numerator and denominator are equal, then the limit of the
rational function is the ratio of the leading coefficients

 If the degree (n) of the numerator is greater than that of the denominator (m), then
the limit of the rational function does not exist.

𝑝 (𝑥)
𝐋𝐢𝐦𝒇(𝒙) = The numerator (n)
𝒙→∞ 𝑞 (𝑥)
The denominator (m)

Looking at the degree of the numerator and denominator: If the degree of:

𝒏 > 𝒎, 𝑳=∞ find the asymptote by division

𝒂𝒏 Leading coefficient of n
𝒏 = 𝒎, 𝑳=
𝒃𝒏 Leading coefficient of m find the asymptote by calculating

INFINITE LIMITS

𝐋𝐢𝐦𝒇(𝒙) = ±∞ 𝒇(𝒙) = ±∞ as x → a
𝒙→𝒂

LIMITS AT INFINITY

𝐋𝐢𝐦 𝒇(𝒙) = 𝑳
𝒙→±∞

𝐋𝐢𝐦 𝒇(𝒙) = ∞ 𝐋𝐢𝐦𝒇(𝒙) = −∞ 𝐋𝐢𝐦 𝒇(𝒙) = −∞

𝒙→−∞ 𝒙→∞ 𝒙→−∞

Infinite Limit
  An infinite limit occurs when the value of a function keeps getting bigger or smaller
without any bound as you approach a certain point.

Example:

f (x) = 1/x

Solution:

To find the behavior of this function as x approaches infinity, we'll examine the limit:
1
lim =
𝑛→∞ 𝑥

As x gets larger and larger (approaching positive infinity), the value of 1/x gets smaller and
smaller because you’re dividing 1 by larger ad larger numbers. This indicates that the function
approaches zero.

Mathematically, we can express this as:

1
lim = 0
𝑛→∞ 𝑥

So, the limit of f (x) = 1/x as x approaches positive infinity is 0. This means that as x gets larger
and larger, the value of the function f(x) gets arbitrarily close to zero, but never quite reaches it.
Therefore, w say that the limit of f(x) as x approaches infinity is infinity.

3.2 Asymptotes

Asymptote - An asymptote is like an invisible line that a curve or graph gets closer and closer
to, but never actually touches or crosses.

For example, think about the graph of the function y = 1/x. As x gets larger and larger, y gets
closer and closer to 0, but it never actually reaches 0. So, the x-axis is an asymptote for this
function because the curve gets infinitely close to it, but never touches it.

3 Types of Asymptote

1) Vertical Asymptote

 A vertical asymptote is a vertical line on a graph where the function approaches, but
never actually reaches, as it extends towards positive or negative infinity along the y-
axis. In other words, it's a line that the graph gets infinitely close to, but never touches or
crosses. It typically occur when the function's denominator approaches zero while the
numerator remains finite, leading to values that approach infinity or negative infinity.

Example: f (x) = 1/x

Solution: To find the vertical asymptote of the function, we need to identify where the function
becomes undefined, typically due to division by zero.

Determine Where the Function Becomes Undefined:

For the function f (x) = 1/x , the function becomes undefined when x = 0 because division by
zero is not allowed.
Identify the Vertical Asymptote:

At x = 0, the function f (x) becomes undefined, so x = 0 is a vertical asymptote.

Therefore, the vertical asymptote of the function f (x) = 1/x 1 is x = 0.

This means that as x approaches 0 from the positive side, f (x) approaches positive infinity, and
as x approaches 0 from the negative side, f (x) approaches negative infinity. The graph of the
function approaches the vertical line x = 0 but never touches it.

2) Horizontal Asymptote

 A horizontal asymptote is a horizontal line on a graph that a function approaches as the

input variable (usually denoted as x) goes to positive or negative infinity.

1
Example: f (x) = .
x2 + 1

Solution: To find the horizontal asymptote of the function, we need to analyze the behavior of
the function as x approaches positive or negative infinity.

Behavior as x Approaches Infinity:

As x becomes very large (approaching positive or negative infinity), the term 𝑥 2 dominates the
denominator, and 𝑥 2 + 1becomes approximately equal to 𝑥 2 .
1
Therefore, as x approaches infinity, f (x) behaves as 𝑥2
, which means it approaches zero.

Behavior as x Approaches Negative Infinity:

Similarly, as x becomes very large in the negative direction (approaching negative infinity), f (x)
also approaches zero.

Horizontal Asymptote:

Since the function approaches y = 0 as x approaches positive or negative infinity, the horizontal
1
line y = 0 (the x-axis) is the horizontal asymptote of the function f (x) = x2 + 1
.
1
Therefore, the function f (x) = x2 + 1
has a horizontal asymptote at y = 0, or the x-axis.

3) Oblique/Slant Asymptote

 An oblique asymptote, also known as a slant asymptote, is a type of asymptote that is

neither horizontal nor vertical. Instead, it's a slanted or diagonal line that a function
approaches as the input variable moves towards positive or negative infinity.

 It occurs in rational functions where the degree of the numerator is exactly one greater
than the degree of the denominator. When this happens, the function may have a slant
asymptote.

Example:

Solution:
In the given rational function, the degree of the numerator is 2 and the degree of the denominator
is 1.

Clearly, the degree of the numerator exceeds the degree of the denominator exactly by one. So,
there is a slant asymptote.

To get the equation of the slant asymptote, we have to divide the numerator by the denominator
using long division as shown below.

In the above long division, the quotient is (x + 5).

So, the equation of the slant asymptote is y = x + 5

LESSON 4: Continuity

Continuity is a fundamental concept in mathematics, particularly in calculus and real

analysis. It deals with the smoothness and connectedness of functions.

A function (f(x)) is continuous at a point (x = a) if the following three conditions are met:

1. (f(a)) is defined (i.e., the function is defined at (x = a).

2. The limit of (f(x)) as (x) approaches (a) exists.

3. The limit of (f(x)) as (x) approaches (a) is equal to (f(a)).

Explanation:

1. Definition of (f(a)) is Defined: This means that the function must have a value at (x = a).
There can't be any "holes" or undefined points at (x = a).

2. Existence of Limit: The function (f(x)) must approach a finite value as (x) approaches (a).
This ensures that there are no abrupt jumps or breaks in the function near (x = a).

3. Continuity at the Point: The limit of the function as (x) approaches (a) must equal the value
of the function at (x = a). In other words, there shouldn't be any sudden changes or
discontinuities in the function's behavior at (x = a).

Types of Continuity

1. Jump Continuity:

A function (f(x)) has a jump discontinuity at (x = a) if: (f(a)) is defined.

• The left-hand limit of (f(x)) as (x) approaches (a) exists and is finite.
 The right-hand limit of (f(x)) as (x) approaches (a) exists and is finite.
• The left-hand limit and the right-hand limit are not equal (i.e., there's a "jump" in the
function's value).
In jump continuity, the function "jumps" from one value to another at a specific point (x =
a). This often occurs in piecewise-defined functions or functions. with sharp corners.

2. Removable Continuity:

A function (f(x)) has a removable discontinuity at (x = a ) if:

• (f(a)) is not defined or is undefined.

• The limit of (f(x)) as (x) approaches (a) exists and is finite.
• The limit of (f(x)) as (x) approaches (a) is not equal to (f(a)).

In removable continuity, the function has a "hole" or a point where it's not defined, but
this can be filled in by redefining the function at that point to make it continuous.

Example:

Consider the function: f(x) = x²-1/x-1

3. Infinity Continuity:

A function (f(x)) has an infinite discontinuity at (x = a ) if:

• (f(a)) is not defined or is undefined.

• The limit of (f(x)) as (x) approaches (a) exists, but it's either (+\infty) or (-\infty).

In infinite continuity, the function's value approaches positive or negative infinity as (x)
approaches a certain point (x = a ).

Example:

Consider the function: f(x) =1/x

Post Test

TRUE or FALSE. Write TRUE if the statement is true and FALSE if not.

1. A function can have a discontinuity at a singular point.

2. If a function f is not defined at x=a then the limit lim 𝑓 (𝑥 ) as 𝑥 approaches 𝑎 never exist.

3. The graph of a rational function may cross its vertical asymptote.

4. A polynomial function is continuous everywhere.

5. If a function is not defined at x, then it is not continuous at x=α.