Continuity of a Function

Basic Calculus
Ericko P. Alegria, LPT
Continuity of a Function
• Observe the function with their
respective graphs.
𝑓 𝑥 = 𝑥 2 + 5𝑥 + 6
• The function is continuous.
Continuity of a Function
• Observe the function with their
respective graphs.
𝑥2 − 9
𝑓 𝑥 =
𝑥−3
• The function is discontinuous.
Continuity of a Function
• Observe the function with their
respective graphs.
2
𝑓 𝑥 =
𝑥
• The function is discontinuous.
Continuity of a Function
• If the graph of a function has no gap or
holes, then we can say that the function
is continuous. Otherwise, it’s
discontinuous.
• In addition, a function is said to be
continuous at a point x = a if all of the
following conditions are satisfied
(Comandante, 2008):
Continuity of a Function
1. If 𝑓(𝑥) is defined, that is, exists at x=a.
➢ A number exists if it is defined.
Division by zero yields to undefined
values. The same with square root of
negative numbers. Thus, these cases
must be checked.
Continuity of a Function
2. If lim 𝑓(𝑥) exists.
𝑥→𝑎
➢ Based on our previous lesson on
limits, the limit of a function f(x)
exists if the left-hand limit is equal to
the right-hand limit. That is,
lim− 𝑓(𝑥) = lim+ 𝑓(𝑥)
𝑥→𝑎 𝑥→𝑎
Continuity of a Function
3. If lim 𝑓(𝑥) = 𝑓(𝑎)
𝑥→𝑎
➢ Upon checking whether a function
satisfies the first two conditions,
check whether the obtained values
from these conditions are equal to
each other.
Continuity of a Function
• If any of the above-mentioned
conditions failed or violated, then the
function is discontinuous.
• The following are the different types of
discontinuity.
Continuity of a Function
Removable Discontinuity
A function is said to have a
removable discontinuity at x = a, if
lim 𝑓(𝑥) exists and lim 𝑓(𝑥) ≠
𝑥→𝑎 𝑥→𝑎
𝑓(𝑎). Either because 𝑓(𝑎) is
undefined or the value of 𝑓(𝑎)
differs from the value of the limit
(Comandante, 2008).
Continuity of a Function
Jump Discontinuity
A function is said to have a
jump discontinuity at 𝑥 = 𝑎 if
lim− 𝑓(𝑥) ≠ lim+ 𝑓(𝑥) for a
𝑥→𝑎 𝑥→𝑎
any positive integer.
(Comandante, 2008). This type
of discontinuity can usually be
found on piecewise functions.
Continuity of a Function
Infinite Discontinuity
This type of discontinuity exists if a
function has one or more infinite
limits. Many rational functions
exhibit this type of behavior
(Milefoot.com Mathematics, n.d.).
Example 1:
Identify whether the function 𝑓 𝑥 = 𝑥 2 +
5𝑥 + 6 is continuous at 𝑥 = −1. Justify Continuity at a point x=a:
1. If 𝑓(𝑥) is defined, that is,
your answer. exists at x=a.
2. If lim 𝑓(𝑥) exists.
𝑥→𝑎
3. If lim 𝑓(𝑥) = 𝑓(a)
𝑥→𝑎
Example 1:
Solution: Continuity at a point x=a:
1. If 𝑓(𝑥) is defined, that is,

1. If 𝑓(𝑥) is defined, that is, exists at x=a. exists at x=a.

2. If lim 𝑓(𝑥) exists.
𝑥→𝑎

𝑓 𝑥 = 𝑥 2 + 5𝑥 + 6 3. If lim 𝑓(𝑥) = 𝑓(a)

𝑥→𝑎

𝑓 −1 = −1 2 + 5 −1 + 6 Example:
Identify whether the function
𝑓 𝑥 = 𝑥 2 + 5𝑥 + 6 is
=1−5+6 continuous at 𝑥 = −1. Justify
your answer.
=2
Since f(x) exists, then the first condition is
satisfied.
Example 1:
Solution: Continuity at a point x=a:
1. If 𝑓(𝑥) is defined, that is,

2. If lim 𝑓(𝑥) exists. exists at x=a.

2. If lim 𝑓(𝑥) exists.
𝑥→𝑎 𝑥→𝑎
3. If lim 𝑓(𝑥) = 𝑓(a)
2 𝑥→𝑎
lim 𝑓(𝑥) = lim (𝑥 + 5𝑥 + 6)
𝑥→𝑎 𝑥→−1 Example:
Identify whether the function
= −1 2 + 5 −1 + 6 𝑓 𝑥 = 𝑥 2 + 5𝑥 + 6 is
continuous at 𝑥 = −1. Justify
=1−5+6 your answer.
1. 𝑓 −1 = 2

=2
Since lim 𝑓(𝑥) exists, then the second
𝑥→𝑎
condition is satisfied
Example 1:
Solution: Continuity at a point x=a:
1. If 𝑓(𝑥) is defined, that is,
exists at x=a.
3. If lim 𝑓(𝑥) = 𝑓(a) 2. If lim 𝑓(𝑥) exists.
𝑥→𝑎 𝑥→𝑎
3. If lim 𝑓(𝑥) = 𝑓(a)
𝑥→𝑎
lim 𝑓(𝑥) = 𝑓(−1) Example:
𝑥→−1 Identify whether the function
2=2 𝑓 𝑥 = 𝑥 2 + 5𝑥 + 6 is
continuous at 𝑥 = −1. Justify

Since the two values are equal, then the your answer.
1. 𝑓 −1 = 2
2. lim 𝑓(𝑥) = 2
third condition is satisfied. 𝑥→−1
Example 1:
Continuity at a point x=a:
Since all of the three conditions were 1. If 𝑓(𝑥) is defined, that is,
exists at x=a.
satisfied, then we can say that the function 2. If lim 𝑓(𝑥) exists.
𝑥→𝑎
3. If lim 𝑓(𝑥) = 𝑓(a)
𝑓 𝑥 = 𝑥 2 + 5𝑥 + 6 is continuous at 𝑥 = 𝑥→𝑎

Example:
− 1. Identify whether the function
𝑓 𝑥 = 𝑥 2 + 5𝑥 + 6 is
continuous at 𝑥 = −1. Justify
your answer.
1. 𝑓 −1 = 2
2. lim 𝑓(𝑥) = 2
𝑥→−1
3. 2 = 2
Example 1:
To illustrate that the function
𝑓 𝑥 = 𝑥 2 + 5𝑥 + 6 is
continuous at 𝑥 = −1, simply
graph the function which
includes the x-value −1.
Example 2:
𝑥 2 −9
At 𝑥 = 3, is the function 𝑓 𝑥 =
𝑥−3
continuous at that particular point? Show Continuity at a point x=a:
1. If 𝑓(𝑥) is defined, that is,
your solution. exists at x=a.
2. If lim 𝑓(𝑥) exists.
𝑥→𝑎
3. If lim 𝑓(𝑥) = 𝑓(a)
𝑥→𝑎
Example 2:
Solution: Continuity at a point x=a:
1. If 𝑓(𝑥) is defined, that is,
1. If 𝑓(𝑥) is defined, that is, exists at x=a. exists at x=a.
2. If lim 𝑓(𝑥) exists.
𝑥→𝑎

𝑥2 − 9 9−9 3. If lim 𝑓(𝑥) = 𝑓(a)

𝑥→𝑎

𝑓 𝑥 = = Example:
𝑥−3 0 At 𝑥 = 3, is the function 𝑓 𝑥 =

32 − 9 0 𝑥 2 −9
continuous at that
𝑥−3

𝑓 3 = = (𝑖𝑛𝑑. ) particular point? Show your

solution.
3−3 0
Since f(x) is indeterminate, then the first
condition NOT satisfied.
Example 2:
Solution: Continuity at a point x=a:
1. If 𝑓(𝑥) is defined, that is,
2. If lim 𝑓(𝑥) exists. exists at x=a.
2. If lim 𝑓(𝑥) exists.
𝑥→𝑎 𝑥→𝑎

𝑥2 − 9 3. If lim 𝑓(𝑥) = 𝑓(a)

𝑥→𝑎

lim 𝑓(𝑥) = lim =3+3 Example:

𝑥→𝑎 𝑥→3 𝑥 − 3 At 𝑥 = 3, is the function 𝑓 𝑥 =
(𝑥 + 3)(𝑥 − 3) =6 𝑥 2 −9
𝑥−3
continuous at that
= lim particular point? Show your
𝑥→3 𝑥−3 solution.
1. 𝑓 3 is indeterminate
= lim (𝑥 + 3)
𝑥→3
Since lim 𝑓(𝑥) exists, then the second condition is
𝑥→𝑎
satisfied.
Example 2:
Continuity at a point x=a:
Solution: 1. If 𝑓(𝑥) is defined, that is,
exists at x=a.
3. If lim 𝑓(𝑥) = 𝑓(a) 2. If lim 𝑓(𝑥) exists.
𝑥→𝑎
𝑥→𝑎 3. If lim 𝑓(𝑥) = 𝑓(a)
𝑥→𝑎

lim 𝑓(𝑥) = 𝑓(3) Example:

𝑥→3 At 𝑥 = 3, is the function 𝑓 𝑥 =
𝑥 2 −9
6 ≠ 𝑖𝑛𝑑𝑒𝑡𝑒𝑟𝑚𝑖𝑛𝑎𝑡𝑒 𝑥−3
continuous at that
particular point? Show your
Since the two values are not equal, then solution.
1. 𝑓 3 is indeterminate
𝑥 2 −9
the third condition NOT is satisfied. 2. lim
𝑥→3 𝑥−3
=6
Example 2:
Continuity at a point x=a:
1. If 𝑓(𝑥) is defined, that is,
Since two of the conditions are NOT exists at x=a.
2. If lim 𝑓(𝑥) exists.
satisfied, then we can say that the function 𝑥→𝑎
3. If lim 𝑓(𝑥) = 𝑓(a)
𝑥→𝑎

𝑥 2 −9 Example:
𝑓 𝑥 = is discontinuous at x = 3. At 𝑥 = 3, is the function 𝑓 𝑥 =
𝑥−3 𝑥 2 −9
continuous at that
𝑥−3
particular point? Show your
solution.
1. 𝑓 3 is indeterminate
𝑥 2 −9
2. lim =6
𝑥→3 𝑥−3
3. 6 ≠ 𝑖𝑛𝑑𝑒𝑡𝑒𝑟𝑚𝑖𝑛𝑎𝑡𝑒
Example 2:
To illustrate that the
𝑥 2 −9
function 𝑓 𝑥 = is
𝑥−3
not continuous at 𝑥 = 3,
simply graph the function
which includes the x-value
3.
Homework: 1 whole yellow paper

2.