Basic Calculus

Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics

While riding on a
train and all stations
are in operation, you
will have a very
smooth travel from
start to finish. In this
situation, we can say
that you have a
continuous travel.
2
However, if one
station experienced
a problem, you have
no choice but to go
down from that
station and continue
to another one. In
this situation, we
can say that your
travel is not
continuous.
3
Your travel can be compared to graphs of
functions wherein some are continuous,
while others are not at some points.

4
How can we determine if a
function is continuous at a
given point?

5
 Learning Competencies
At the end of the lesson, you should be able to do the following:

● Illustrate continuity of a function at a

number (STEM_BC11LC-IIIc-1).

● Determine whether a function is

continuous at a number or not
(STEM_BC11LC-IIIc-2).

6
 Learning Objectives
At the end of the lesson, you should be able to do the following:

● Illustrate the continuity of a function at a point.

● Determine whether a function is continuous at a

point or not using its graph.

● Determine whether a function is continuous at a

point or not using its equation.

7
 Recall of lim 𝒇(𝒙) and 𝒇(𝒄)
𝒙→𝒄

Recall from the previous lessons that there are functions

whose limit as 𝑥 approaches 𝑐 is not equal to the value of
the function at 𝑐.

In symbols, lim 𝑓(𝑥) ≠ 𝑓(𝑐).

𝑥→𝑐

What does this imply about the graph of 𝑓?

8
 Intuitive Definition of Continuity of a Function

A function is said to be continuous if its graph has no

breaks or holes, and you can trace it without lifting your
pen. A continuous function is defined for any real
number.

9
 Definition of Continuity of a Function

The graph on the right

is an example of a
function that is
continuous at any
point 𝑥 = 𝑐.

10
Definition of Continuity of a Function

11
 Definition of Continuity of a Function

This, however, is a
graph of a function that
is not continuous. In
this case, the function
is discontinuous at
𝑥 = 1.

12
Definition of Continuity of a Function

13
 Continuity of a Function at a Point Given Its Graph

Consider the graph of the

function 𝑓 𝑥 = 3𝑥 − 2 on
the right.

14
 Continuity of a Function at a Point Given Its Graph

Can you trace the graph

from the left going to the
right of 𝑥 = 2 without lifting
your pen?

15
 Continuity of a Function at a Point Given Its Graph

How about in this

graph of the function
shown at the right?

16
 Let’s Practice!

Determine if the
function 𝑓 𝑥 shown
at the right is
continuous at 𝑥 = 3
and 𝑥 = 0.

17
 Let’s Practice!

Determine if the function 𝑓 𝑥 below is continuous at

𝑥 = 3 and 𝑥 = 0.

The function is discontinuous at 𝒙 = 𝟎.

18
Try It!
Determine if the graph of the function
below is continuous at 𝒙 = −𝟏 and 𝒙 = 𝟐.
 Let’s Practice!

Is the graph at the

right continuous at
𝑥 = 2, 𝑥 = −3, and
𝑥 = 4?

20
 Let’s Practice!

Is the graph below continuous at 𝑥 = 2, 𝑥 = −3, and

𝑥 = 4?

The function is continuous at 𝒙 = −𝟑 and 𝒙 = 𝟒, but not

at 𝑥 = 2.
21
Try It!
Is the graph below continuous at 𝒙 = 𝟏,
𝟏
𝒙 = − , and 𝒙 = −𝟓?
𝟐
 Let’s Practice!

Determine if 𝑓 𝑥 = 𝑥 − 1 is continuous at 𝑥 = 2.

23
 Let’s Practice!

Determine if 𝑓 𝑥 = 𝑥 − 1 is continuous at 𝑥 = 2.

The function is continuous at 𝒙 = 𝟐.

24
Try It!

𝟏
Determine if 𝒇 𝒙 = is continuous
𝒙−𝟑 𝟐
at 𝒙 = 𝟑.
How can we determine if a
function is continuous at a
given point without tracing its
graph?

26
 Continuity of a Function at a Point Given Its Equation

A function 𝑓 is said to be continuous at the number 𝑐 if

and only if the following conditions are satisfied:

1. 𝑓(𝑐) exists;
2. lim 𝑓(𝑥) exists, and
𝑥→𝑐
3. lim 𝑓(𝑥) = 𝑓(𝑐).
𝑥→𝑐

If at least one of these conditions fails to hold at 𝑐, the

function is said to be discontinuous at 𝑐. 27
Using the formal definition of
continuity of a function at a
point, what functions are
automatically continuous
everywhere?

28
 Let’s Practice!

Determine if 𝑓 𝑥 = 2𝑥 2 − 6𝑥 + 2 is continuous at 𝑥 = −3.

29
 Let’s Practice!

Determine if 𝑓 𝑥 = 2𝑥 2 − 6𝑥 + 2 is continuous at 𝑥 = −3.

𝒇 𝒙 is continuous at 𝒙 = −𝟑.

30
Try It!

Determine if 𝒉 𝒙 = 𝟑𝒙𝟑 − 𝟒𝒙𝟐 + 𝒙 − 𝟓 is

continuous at 𝒙 = 𝟒.
 Let’s Practice!
2𝑥−3
Is 𝑔(𝑥) = continuous at 𝑥 = −2?
𝑥 2 +4𝑥+4

32
 Let’s Practice!
2𝑥−3
Is 𝑔(𝑥) = continuous at 𝑥 = −2?
𝑥 2 +4𝑥+4

𝒈(𝒙) is discontinuous at 𝒙 = −𝟐.

33
Try It!

𝒙−𝟓
Is 𝒉 𝒙 = continuous at 𝒙 = 𝟓?
𝒙𝟐 +𝟓𝒙+𝟔
Is a rational function continuous
everywhere? Why or why not?

35
Tips

We can easily determine if polynomial

functions or rational functions are
continuous at a point. Remember the
following guidelines:

36
Tips

● If 𝑓(𝑥) is a polynomial function, then

𝑓 𝑐 is always defined for any 𝑐 and
lim 𝑓(𝑥) = 𝑓(𝑐) . Thus, polynomial
𝑥→𝑐
functions are continuous at any
point.

37
Tips

𝑃 𝑥
● If 𝑓 𝑥 = is a rational function,
𝑄 𝑥
then lim 𝑓(𝑥) = 𝑓(𝑐) provided that
𝑥→𝑐
𝑄 𝑐 ≠ 0, which implies that 𝑐 is not
in the domain of 𝑓. Thus, rational
functions are only continuous in
their respective domains.

38
 Let’s Practice!

Find the value or values of the constant 𝑘 so that

𝑥+3
𝑓 𝑥 = 2 is continuous at 𝑥 = −3.
𝑥 +5𝑥−7𝑘

39
 Let’s Practice!

Find the value or values of the constant 𝑘 so that

𝑥+3
𝑓 𝑥 = 2 is continuous at 𝑥 = −3.
𝑥 +5𝑥−7𝑘

𝟔
𝒇(𝒙) is continuous at 𝒙 = −𝟑 as long as 𝒌 ≠ − .
𝟕

40
Try It!

For what value or values of 𝒌 is

𝟓
𝒇 𝒙 = continuous at 𝒙 = −𝟑?
𝟕+𝒌 𝒙−𝟑
 Properties of Continuous Functions at a Point

The following properties can be observed about the

continuity of a function at a point.

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 Properties of Continuous Functions at a Point

Property 1: 𝑓 𝑥 + 𝑔 𝑥 is continuous at 𝑐.

Proof:
Suppose 𝑓(𝑥) and 𝑔(𝑥) are both continuous at 𝑥 = 𝑐. Thus,
lim 𝑓(𝑥) = 𝑓(𝑐) and lim 𝑔(𝑥) = 𝑔(𝑐).
𝑥→𝑐 𝑥→𝑐

lim 𝑓 𝑥 + 𝑔 𝑥 = lim 𝑓 𝑥 + lim 𝑔 𝑥

𝑥→𝑐 𝑥→𝑐 𝑥→𝑐
=𝑓 𝑐 +𝑔 𝑐
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 Properties of Continuous Functions at a Point

Property 2: 𝑓 𝑥 − 𝑔 𝑥 is continuous at 𝑐.

Proof:
Suppose 𝑓(𝑥) and 𝑔(𝑥) are both continuous at 𝑥 = 𝑐. Thus,
lim 𝑓(𝑥) = 𝑓(𝑐) and lim 𝑔(𝑥) = 𝑔(𝑐).
𝑥→𝑐 𝑥→𝑐

lim 𝑓 𝑥 − 𝑔 𝑥 = lim 𝑓 𝑥 − lim 𝑔 𝑥

𝑥→𝑐 𝑥→𝑐 𝑥→𝑐
=𝑓 𝑐 −𝑔 𝑐
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 Properties of Continuous Functions at a Point

Property 3: 𝑓 𝑥 ⋅ 𝑔 𝑥 is continuous at 𝑐.

Proof:
Suppose 𝑓(𝑥) and 𝑔(𝑥) are both continuous at 𝑥 = 𝑐. Thus,
lim 𝑓(𝑥) = 𝑓(𝑐) and lim 𝑔(𝑥) = 𝑔(𝑐).
𝑥→𝑐 𝑥→𝑐

lim 𝑓 𝑥 ⋅ 𝑔 𝑥 = lim 𝑓 𝑥 ⋅ lim 𝑔 𝑥

𝑥→𝑐 𝑥→𝑐 𝑥→𝑐
=𝑓 𝑐 ⋅𝑔 𝑐
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 Properties of Continuous Functions at a Point

𝑓 𝑥
Property 4: is continuous at 𝑐.
𝑔 𝑥

Proof:
Suppose 𝑓(𝑥) and 𝑔(𝑥) are both continuous at 𝑥 = 𝑐. Thus,
lim 𝑓(𝑥) = 𝑓(𝑐) and lim 𝑔(𝑥) = 𝑔(𝑐).
𝑥→𝑐 𝑥→𝑐

46
Properties of Continuous Functions at a Point

𝑓 𝑥 lim 𝑓 𝑥
𝑥→𝑐
lim =
𝑥→𝑐 𝑔 𝑥 lim 𝑔 𝑥
𝑥→𝑐
𝑓 𝑐
= ,𝑔 𝑐 ≠ 0
𝑔 𝑐

47
 Let’s Practice!

Using the properties of the continuity of a function a a

𝑥+3
point, determine if 𝑓 𝑥 = is continuous at 𝑥 = 0.
𝑥−2

48
 Let’s Practice!

Using the properties of the continuity of a function a a

𝑥+3
point, determine if 𝑓 𝑥 = is continuous at 𝑥 = 0.
𝑥−2

𝒙+𝟑
𝒇 𝒙 = is continuous at 𝒙 = 𝟎.
𝒙−𝟐

49
Try It!

Using the properties of the continuity of

a function at a point, determine if
𝒇 𝒙 = 𝒙 + 𝟑 𝟑 is continuous at
𝒙 = −𝟑.
 Let’s Practice!
𝑔(𝑥)
If 𝑓 and 𝑔 are both polynomial functions, is 𝑓 𝑥 +
𝑓(𝑥)
always continuous at 𝑥 = 𝑐 for any 𝑐? Why or why not?

51
 Let’s Practice!
𝑔(𝑥)
If 𝑓 and 𝑔 are both polynomial functions, is 𝑓 𝑥 +
𝑓(𝑥)
always continuous at 𝑥 = 𝑐 for any 𝑐? Why or why not?

𝑔 𝑥
𝑓 𝑥 + is not always continuous at 𝑥 = 𝑐.
𝑓 𝑥

52
Try It!

Given that 𝒇(𝒙) and 𝒈(𝒙) are both

continuous at 𝒙 = 𝒄, determine if
𝒇 𝒙 ⋅ 𝒈 𝒙 + [𝒇 𝒙 + 𝒈 𝒙 ]𝟐 is always
continuous at 𝒙 = 𝒄.
 Let’s Practice!

The functions 𝑓 and 𝑔 are rational functions such that 𝑓

is continuous at 𝑥 = 𝑐 and 𝑔 is continuous at 𝑥 = 𝑑. Is
𝑓(𝑥) + 𝑔(𝑥) always continuous at 𝑥 = 𝑐 + 𝑑? Why?

54
 Let’s Practice!

The functions 𝑓 and 𝑔 are rational functions such that 𝑓

is continuous at 𝑥 = 𝑐 and 𝑔 is continuous at 𝑥 = 𝑑. Is
𝑓(𝑥) + 𝑔(𝑥) always continuous at 𝑥 = 𝑐 + 𝑑? Why?

𝑓 𝑥 + 𝑔(𝑥) is not always continuous at 𝑥 = 𝑐 + 𝑑.

55
Try It!

If 𝒇 and 𝒈 are both rational functions

that are continuous at 𝒙 = 𝒄, is
[𝒇 𝒙 ]𝟐 +𝒈(𝒙) always continuous at 𝒙 = 𝒄?
Why?
 Check Your Understanding

Determine if the graph is continuous or discontinuous at

the given points.

1. 𝑥 = −1
2. 𝑥 =2
3. 𝑥 =1
4. 𝑥 = −3

57
 Check Your Understanding

Determine if the following functions are continuous or

discontinuous at 𝑥 = 𝑐.

1. 𝑓 𝑥 = 𝑥 3 − 5𝑥 2 + 5𝑥 + 1; 𝑥= 2
𝑥 3 +3𝑥 2 −𝑥−3
2. 𝑓 𝑥 = ; 𝑥 = −1
𝑥+1
2𝑥 + 3, if 𝑥 ≤ 3
3. 𝑓 𝑥 = ቊ ; 𝑥 = −3
𝑥 − 5, if 𝑥 > 3

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 Let’s Sum It Up!
● A function 𝑓 is said to be continuous at the
number 𝑐 if and only if the following conditions
are satisfied:
o 𝑓(𝑐) exists;
o lim 𝑓(𝑥) exists, and
𝑥→𝑐
o lim 𝑓(𝑥) = 𝑓(𝑐).
𝑥→𝑐
If at least one of these conditions fails to hold at 𝑐,
the function is said to be discontinuous at 𝑐.
59
 Let’s Sum It Up!

● If 𝑓(𝑥) and 𝑔(𝑥) are both continuous at 𝑥 = 𝑐, then the

following properties can be observed:

○ 𝑓 𝑥 + 𝑔(𝑥) is continuous at 𝑐;

○ 𝑓 𝑥 − 𝑔(𝑥) is continuous at 𝑐;

○ 𝑓 𝑥 ⋅ 𝑔(𝑥) is continuous at 𝑐, and

𝑓 𝑥
○ is continuous at 𝑐, provided that 𝑔 𝑐 ≠ 0.
𝑔 𝑥

60
Challenge Yourself

Let 𝒇(𝒙) and 𝒈(𝒙) be polynomial

functions. Determine if the function
𝒇 𝒙 𝟐 − 𝒈 𝒙 𝟐 is continuous at any
point 𝒄 and explain why.

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Leithold, Louis. The Calculus 7. New York: HarperCollins

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