CONTINUITY OF

FUNCTIONS
 INTRODUCTION

Is the limit of a function as x approaches c is

always equal to f(c)?
 There are those functions whose limits are not equal
to the functions at x=c, meaning, lim 𝑓 𝑥 ≠ 𝑓(𝑐).
𝑥→𝑐

This leads us to the study of continuity of functions.

In this section, we will be focusing on the continuity of a
function at a specific point.
CONTINUIT Y OF A FUNCTIONS AT A POINT

What does “continuity at a point” mean?

Intuitively, this means that in drawing the

graph of a function, the point in question will be
traversed.
GRAPH OF 𝑓 𝑥 = 3𝑥 − 1

Is the function continuous at x = 1?

To check if the function is

continuous at x = 1, use the given
graph. Note that one is able to trace
the graph from the left side of the
number x = 1 going to the right side
of x = 1, without lifting one’s pen.
This is the case here. Hence, we can
say that the function is continuous
at x = 1.
CONSIDER THE GRAPH OF THE
FUNCTION 𝑔(𝑥) BELOW

Is the function continuous

at x = 1?
We follow the process in
the previous example. Tracing the
graph from the left of x = 1 going to
right of x = 1, one finds that s/he
must lift her/his pen briefly upon
reaching x = 1, creating a hole in
the graph. Thus, the function is
discontinuous at x = 1.
CONSIDER THE GRAPH OF THE
1
FUNCTION ℎ(𝑥) =
𝑥

Is the function continuous at x = 0?

If we trace the graph from the

left of x = 0 going to right of x = 0, we
have to lift our pen since at the left of x =
0, the function values will go downward
indefinitely, while at the right of x = 0,
the function values will go to upward
indefinitely. In other words,

Thus, the function is discontinuous at x = 0.

 Suppose we are not given the graph of
a function but just the function itself. How do
we determine if the function is continuous at
a given number?
 THREE CONDITIONS OF CONTINUIT Y

A function f(x) is said to be continuous at x = c if the

following three conditions are satisfied:

i. 𝑓 𝑐 𝑒𝑥𝑖𝑠𝑡𝑠;

ii. lim 𝑓(𝑥) exists; and

𝑥→𝑐

iii. lim 𝑓(𝑥) = 𝑓 𝑐

𝑥→𝑐

If at least one of these conditions is not met, f is said to be

discontinuous at x = c.
 DETERMINE IF 𝑓(𝑥) = 𝑥 3 + 𝑥 2 − 2 IS
CONTINUOUS OR NOT AT X = 1.

We have to check the three conditions for

continuity of a function.
DETERMINE IF 𝑓(𝑥) IS CONTINUOUS OR
NOT AT X = 4.
GIVEN THE GRAPH BELOW, DETERMINE IF THE
FUNCTION H(X) IS CONTINUOUS AT THE
FOLLOWING VALUES OF X:

1. x = 2
2. x = −3
3. x = 0
GIVEN THE GRAPH BELOW, DETERMINE IF THE
FUNCTION H(X) IS CONTINUOUS AT THE
FOLLOWING VALUES OF X:

1. x = 2 Continuous
2. x = −3 Continuous
3. x = 0 Discontinuous
 CONTINUIT Y ON AN INTERVAL

INTRODUCTION
A function can be continuous on an
interval. This simply means that it is continuous
at every point on the interval. Equivalently, if
we are able to draw the entire graph of the
function on an interval without lifting our
tracing pen, or without being interrupted by a
hole in the middle of the graph, then we can
conclude that the function is continuous on that
interval.
ONE SIDED CONTINUIT Y
CONSIDER THE GRAPH OF THE
FUNCTION 𝑓 GIVEN BELOW.

Following Intervals:
A. (−1, 1)
B. −∞, 1
C. (0, +∞)
CONSIDER THE GRAPH OF THE
FUNCTION 𝑓 GIVEN BELOW.

Following Intervals:
A. (−1, 1)
B. −∞, 1
C. (0, +∞)
CONSIDER THE GRAPH OF THE
FUNCTION 𝑓 GIVEN BELOW.

Interval: −1, 1

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).
CONSIDER THE GRAPH OF THE
FUNCTION 𝑓 GIVEN BELOW.

Interval: −∞, 1

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).
CONSIDER THE GRAPH OF THE
FUNCTION 𝑓 GIVEN BELOW.

Interval: (0, +∞)

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,+∞).
CONSIDER THE GRAPH OF THE
FUNCTION 𝑓 GIVEN BELOW.
Interval: (−1, 1)

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 h on (−1,1) without lifting our
pen. Thus, the function h is not continuous
on (−1,1).
CONSIDER THE GRAPH OF THE
FUNCTION 𝑓 GIVEN BELOW.

Interval: (0.5, 1)

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].
Now, if a function is given without its
corresponding graph, we must find
other means to determine if the
function is continuous or not on an
interval.
KNOWN FACTS ON CONTINUITIES OF
FUNCTIONS ON INTERVALS
Determine the largest interval over which the
function 𝑓 (𝑥) = 𝑥 + 2 is continuous.
Consider the function below.

Is g continuous on
a. (0,1]?
b. on (4,∞)?
c. (- ∞, 0)
Consider the function below.

Is g continuous on
a. (0,1]?
b. on (4,∞)?
DIFFERENT TYPES OF
DISCONTINUITIES
Consider the functions below…

a. Is g(x) continuous at x=1?

b. Is h(x) continuous at x=4?
c. Is f(x) continuous at x=0?
Consider the functions below…

All of the functions are

discontinuous at the given
values. A closer study shows
that they actually exhibit
different types of
discontinuity.
REMOVABLE DISCONTINUIT Y
For example the g(x) is a kind of
removable discontinuity…
 Redefined g(x)

Redefinition:
Let g(1) = 2.
This is called a redefinition of g at x = 1.
The redefinition results in a “transfer” of
the point (1,1) to the hole at (1,2). In
effect, the hole is filled and the
discontinuity is removed!
ESSENTIAL DISCONTINUIT Y - JUMP
 Jump essential discontinuity has no
remedy!

The graph confirms that the discontinuity of h(x) at x =

4 is certainly not removable. See, the discontinuity is not just a
matter of having one point missing from the graph and putting
it in; if ever, it is a matter of having a part of the graph entirely
out of place.

If we force to remove this kind of discontinuity, we

need to connect the two parts by a vertical line from (4,5) to
(4,3). However, the resulting graph will fail the Vertical Line
Test and will not be a graph of a function anymore. Hence, this
case has no remedy. From the graph, it is clear why this
essential discontinuity is also called a jump discontinuity.
ESSENTIAL DISCONTINUIT Y - INFINITE
 1
The function 𝑗 𝑥 = is a kind of infinite
𝑥
essential discontinuity…
 Infinite essential discontinuity has no
remedy!

Because the limits are infinite, the limits

from both the left and the right of x = 0 do not
exist, and the discontinuity cannot be removed.
Also, the absence of a left-hand (or right-hand)
limit from which to “jump” to the other part of
the graph means the discontinuity is
permanent. (cont…)
 Infinite essential discontinuity has no
remedy!

(cont…) As the graph indicates, the two ends of the

function that approach x = 0 continuously move away
from each other: one end goes upward without bound,
the other end goes downward without bound. This
translates to an asymptotic behavior as x-values
approach 0; in fact, we say that x = 0 is a vertical
asymptote of f(x). Thus, this discontinuity is called an
infinite essential discontinuity.
FLOW CHART: A BIG HELP
 EXAMPLE

Enumerate all discontinuities of f(x) and identify their types. If a

discontinuity is removable, state the redefiniton that will remove it.
Hint: There are 6 discontinuities.
INTERMEDIATE VALUE THEOREM
 IVT: INTERMEDIATE VALUE THEOREM

If a function f(x) is continuous over a closed interval [a,b], then for every
value m between f(a) and f(b), there is a value c ∈ [a, b] such that f(c) = m.
Since the function is contimuous on the
interval [a,b].

Look at the graph as we consider

values of m between f(a) and f(b).

Imagine moving the dotted line for

m up and down between the dotted
lines for f(a) and f(b).
Correspondingly, the dot P will
move along the thickened curve
between the two points, (a, f(a)) and
(b, f(b)).
Observations…

1. As the dark dot moves, so will the

vertical dotted line over x = c move.

2. In particular, the said line moves

between the vertical dotted lines
over x = a and x = b.

3. More in particular, for any value

that we assign m in between f(a) and
f(b), the consequent position of the
dark dot assigns a corresponding
value of c between a and b. This
illustrates what the IVT says.
 EXAMPLE

Consider the function f(x) = 2x−5. Using

1
IVT, prove that c ∈ [1, 5] such that 𝑓(𝑐) = .
2
Graph of 𝑓 𝑥 = 2𝑥 − 5
 EXAMPLE 2

Consider the function f(x) = 2x−5. Using

IVT, prove that c ∈ [1, 5] such that 𝑓(𝑐) = 3.
Graph of 𝑓 𝑥 = 2𝑥 − 5
 EXAMPLE 3

Consider the function 𝑓(𝑥) = 𝑥 2 . Using

IVT, prove that c ∈ [-4, 2] such that 𝑓(𝑐) = 9.
GRAPH OF 𝑓(𝑥) = 𝑥 2
REMARK
 EXAMPLE 4

Consider the function 𝑓 𝑥 = 𝑥 3 − 4𝑥 2 + 𝑥 + 7 .

Using IVT, prove that c ∈ [-1.5, 4] such that
𝑓(𝑐) = 1.
GRAPH OF 𝑓 𝑥 = 𝑥 3 − 4𝑥 2 + 𝑥 + 7 .
WHY DOES THE IVT FAIL TO HOLD
FOR F(X) ON [-1, 1]?
 1  1  x  0
f ( x)  
1 0  x 1

Not Continuous in interval!

Point of discontinuity at x = 0

-2 2

-1
 GIVE IT SOME THOUGHT

The function f(x) = 2/x takes on the value –2 at x = –1 and it

takes on the value 2 at x = 1. Certainly 0 lies between –2 and 2.
Does it follow that 𝑓 takes on the value 0 somewhere
between –1 and 1?

Answer: No, the function is not continuous on [–1, 1], and

therefore it can does skip the number 0.
 APPLICATION

1. Finding the number of roots in the interval

2. Approximating the roots
DID YOU KNOW THAT A POLYNOMIAL OF ODD
DEGREE HAS AT LEAST ONE REAL ROOT?
DID YOU KNOW THAT A POLYNOMIAL OF ODD
DEGREE HAS AT LEAST ONE REAL ROOT?
HOW MANY REAL ROOTS DOES 𝑓 𝑥 = 𝑥 2 + 1

There’s none.
 EXAMPLE 4

Let f (x) = x5 + 2x4 – 6x3 + 2x – 3, use the

intermediate value theorem to show that f has three
zeros in the interval [-4, 2].
 X F(x)
-4 -139 F(c)=0
-3 72
-2 41
-1 2 F(c)=0
0 -3
1 -4
2 17 F(c)=0
Now, find them!!!
 From (-4, -3) to …

f (x) = x5 + 2x4 – 6x3 + 2x – 3

x Interval f(x) interval
• (-4, -3)  (-139, 72)
• (-3.7, -3.5)  (-25.0894, 22.15625)
• (-3.6, -3.5)  (0.99744, 22.15625)
• (-3.65, -3.6)  (-11.3941, 0.99744)
• (-3.605, -3.6)  (-0.18513, 0.99744)

• f(-3.6) ≈ 0.99744
X = -3.60
X = -0.88
X = 1.63
EXTREME VALUE THEOREM (EVT)
EXTREME VALUE THEOREM (EVT)

Definition: (Extreme Value Theorem (EVT)). If a function f(x) is

continuous over a closed interval [a, b], then f(x) is guaranteed
to reach a maximum and a minimum on [a,b].
EXTREME VALUE THEOREM (EVT)
 CONSIDER THE FUNCTION
𝑓(𝑥) = −2𝑥4 + 4𝑥2 OVER [−1,1].

What is maximum and minimum value of f(x)?

 EXAMPLE 1.
Observe that 𝑓(𝑥) = 2𝑥 − 5 on [1,5] exhibits the extrema at the endpoints: