UNITY UNIVERSITY

Faculty: College of Business, Economics and Social

Science
COURSE TITLE: Calculus for Economists
COURSE CODE: Econ 211
DEPARTMENT: Economics
LEVEL: Undergraduate
CREDIT HOURS: 3
ACADEMIC YEAR: 2022/2023 G.C
SEMESTER: II
COURSE INSTRUCTOR: Haileleul Admasie
E-mail: [email protected]
SKYPE: haileleul.Admasie
 CHAPTER-TWO

LIMITS AND CONTINUITY

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 Limits And Continuity
1. THE CONCEPT OF LIMITS

• Limits are important in calculus

• It is this concept that makes calculus different from algebra

• Every single notion of calculus is a limit in one sense or another.

• Without limits, calculus would not exist.

• Ex: what is the slope of a curve?
 It is the limit of slopes of secant lines.
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 Limits And Continuity. . .
 What is the length of a curve?
 It is the limit of the lengths of polygonal
paths inscribed in the curve.

 What is the area of a region bounded by a

curve?
It is the limit of the sum of areas of
approximating rectangles.
 Limits And Continuity. . .

2. What is a Limit - Definition?:

• Limits describes what happens to a function f(x) as its variable x approaches a

particular number c but not necessarily at c itself.

5
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 Limits And Continuity. . .
• The curve in the below Figure represents the graph of a function f.
• The number c is on the x-axis and the limit L is on the y-axis.
• As x approaches (tends to) c along the x-axis, f (x) approaches L along the y-axis.
• Or provided that f (x) is close to L for all x ≠ c which are close to c.

• If f(x) is defined near some point C then:

lim 𝑓 ( 𝑥) ¿ 𝐿
𝑥→𝑐

𝑓 (𝑐 )¿ 𝐿
6
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 Limits And Continuity . . .
Ex 1: Let f(x) = x+4. What happens to f(x) as x approaches to 1, but not equal to 1.
Solution:
• To investigate the behavior of f(x) as x approaches 1 numerically and graphically
we can construct a table and draw a graph of f(x) for x near 1.

As x approaches 1 As x approaches 1 The graph of f(x) = x+4 as x approaches 1.

from the left from the right

x f(x) X f(x)
0.5 4.5 1.5 5.5
0.7 4.7 1.3 5.3
0.9 4.9 1.1 5.1
1
0.99 4.99 1.01 5.01
0.999 1.001 5.001
4.999 Unity University 7
 Limits And Continuity . . .
Ex 2: Given a function f(x) = x2, find lim f(x) as x approaches 2.
Solution:
• The following table illustrates the behavior of the function, as x becomes closer and closer to 2
from both the left and right side of 2.
From the left From the right
lim f ( x) lim f ( x)
x 2 x 2

x f(x) x f(x)
1.5 2.25 2.5 6.25
1.7 2.89 2.3 5.29
1.9 3.61 2.1 4.41
1.99 3.9601 2.01 4.0401
1.999 3.9960001 2.001 4.004001
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1.9999 3.99960001 2.0001 4.00040001
 Limits And Continuity . . .

•Therefore, the values of f(x) = x2 are near 4 whenever x is close

to 2 from both the left and right sides.

 Since lim f ( x) = lim f ( x) = 4, lim f ( x) = 4

x 2 x 2 x 2

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 Limits And Continuity . . .

Exercise -1
 Find the limits of the function f(x) = x+1 as x approaches 1.
I.e. see the behavior of the function as x becomes closer and closer to 1

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 Limits And Continuity . . .
Definition
1. The limit of f(x) as x approaches c from the left is L if the y coordinate of a point (x,
f(x)) on the graph of f approaches L as x approaches c from the left of c.
lim f ( x) =L
x c 

2. The limit of f(x) as x approaches c from the right is L if the y coordinate of a point (x, f(x))
on the graph of y approaches L as x approaches c from the right of c.
lim f ( x) =L
x c 

3. Therefore, the expression lim  L means that f(x) approaches L as x approaches c form
x c

each side of c.
• I.e., a limit to exist, the limit from the left and the limit from the right must exist
and be equal. Unity University 11
 Limits And Continuity . . .
Note:-

1. If lim f ( x ) =L, then lim f ( x) = lim f ( x) =L

x c x c x c

2. If lim f ( x) = lim f ( x) =L, then lim f ( x ) =L

x c x c x c

3. If lim f ( x)  lim f ( x) , then lim f ( x ) does not exist.

x c x c x c

 f(x) does not approach a single number L as x approaches c.

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 Limits And Continuity . . .
Ex 3:
f(x) = x-3, find the limit of f(x) as x approaches 2

Solution:

lim f ( x) = -1, lim f ( x ) = -1, therefore lim f ( x) = -1

x 2 x 2 x 2

= -1, lim f ( x ) = -1, therefore lim f ( x) = -1

x 2 x 2

x ) = -1, therefore lim f ( x) = -1

x 2

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 Limits And Continuity . . .

 x
x 1
1,,xx11
 
Ex4 4: : f f((xx)) 
x
Ex 3  x, x  
 1a
 as
s x x
apa
pproparc
ohaecsh1
e.s 1.

xl 3  x, x  1
o u1ti,oxn
:1E
va
 as
lux
ataeptphre
oalicm
heits a
1s. x approaches 1
So
3  lu
xt,ix
on: 1Evaluate the limit as x approaches 1
ate the lim
limift (
axs )x =
ap
2prolim
achefs(1
x ) =2 , then lim f ( x )
x approxac1hes 1.
x 1  x 1

lim f ( x) =2 lim f ( x ) =2 , then lim f ( x ) =2

) = 2 lim
x  1 f (/xx
) =2 , t
xhe
1 n lim f ( x ) =2 x 1
sxx 5
a:pprfox(a /
Ex xc he
1)

s1 find limx f(x
1 ) as x approaches 0.
x

x / / x / x
xo) l u
= t
2 i o
, n
t h:
Ex f5i:ndf l(ixmen lim
f
) x
(x lim
f (
) as xx ) f
= (2x
finadpp

)
lirm =
ofa(xc lim
xh
 )0eassx0 = lim
x .appx 

 1 = -
ro0aches 0.1
1 x 0
x x Unity University 14
x
 Limits And Continuity . . .
Ex 5:
 For the function defined by setting
1 + x 2, x ＜ 1
g(x) =
3, x = 1
x→1
4 – 2x, x ＞ 1,
Proof
lim g(x) = 2.
• The left- and right-hand limits at 1 are as follows:
• lim g(x) = lim (1 + x2) = 2, lim g(x) = lim (4 – 2x) = 2
• Thus, lim g(x) = 2.
• NOTE: It does not matter that g(1) ≠ 2.
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 Limits And Continuity . . .
One-sided limits
• Numbers x near c fall into two natural categories:
• Those that lie to the
I. left of c and
II. right of c
• We write: lim f  x  L [The left-hand limit of f(x) as x tends to c is L.]
x  c

• to indicate that as x approaches c from the left, f(x) approaches L

lim f  x  L [The right-hand limit of f(x) as x tends to c is L.]

x c

• to indicate that as x approaches c from the right, f(x) approaches L

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Limits And Continuity . . .

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Limits And Continuity . . .

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 x  1 x  1 x 1
Limits
/ x/ And Continuity . . .
Ex 5: f ( x)  f/inxd/ limf(x) as x approaches 0.
Ex 5: f ( x )x
Class-Work: find limf(x) as x approaches 0.
x
x x
SoSluotilount:ion: ( x) =flim
lim flim
x 0 
( x ) = =lim
lim x
x 0
 == -lim
1 1


x 0 
1 = -1
x 0 x 0 x

x 0
x
lim f ( x ) = lim = lim 1 = 1
x 0
x x 0 x x 0
lim f ( x) = lim = lim 1 = 1 / x/
Since lim fx ( x
0 )  limx  0f (xx ) ,x t0he lim f ( x ) = lim doe
x 0 x 0 x 0 x 0 x
/ x/
Since lim f ( x)  lim f ( x) , the lim f ( x) = lim does not exist.
x 0 x 0 x 0 x 0 x
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 Limits And Continuity . . .
Or

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 Limits And Continuity . . .
Exercise 2:
Find the right and left side limits of the following functions and verify whether the limit
exists or not.
1. lim 3x+5 3. lim x 4  5 x 3  10
x 3 x 0

x2
2. lim
x 5 5  x

Answer:
1) 14 2) Limit does not Unity
existUniversity 3) 10 21
 Limits And Continuity . . .
3. THE LIMIT THEOREM
If lim f(x) = L and lim g(x) = M, then
x c x c

i) lim (a(f(x)) = a lim f(x) = aL

x c x c
for any constant a

ii) lim (f(x) g(x)) = lim f(x)  lim g(x) =L M

x c x c x c

iii) lim (f(x).g(x)) = lim f(x). lim g(x) = L.M

x c x c x c

f ( x) lim f ( x) L
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x c
iii) lim (f(x).g(x)) = lim f ( x ) . lim g(x) = L.M
Limits And Continuity . . .
x c x c x c

f ( x) lim f ( x) L
iv) lim
x c g ( x)
 x c
 , forM 0
lim g ( x) M
x c

v ) lim a = a for any constant a

v) lim x  ca = a for any constant a
x c

vi) lim
v i) x c
 x c

f ( x)  lim f ( x)
r
 r r
= L , r isr any real number.
L,
= L , r is any real
vii) lim x c
vii) x c
lim x c
x c
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 Limits And Continuity . . .
3.1. EVALUATION OF THE LIMIT THEOREM
• How the limit theorem can be used to evaluate limits of algebraic
expressions
Ex 1. Find the lim (5 x 2  3 x  1 )
x 1

Solution:
x 1)
2
lim (5 x  3 x  1 ) = 5 lim x
x 1
 x 1

2

+3 lim x
x 1
 + lim 1
x 1

=5 +3 9+x 5  10 = 5(1)2 + 3(1) + 1 = 9

Ex 2: Find lim
x 2 7x 2  2x 1
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m (5 x 2  32x lim
1 ) (5 x  3x  1 ) = 5 +3 +
1e lim (5 x
he
x 1
x 1
Limits And Continuity . . .
 3x  1 )

9 x 5  10
Ex 2: Find lim
x 2 7 x 2  2 x  1 2

(53
xx 
2 3
1x) 
=15) = 5 +3+3 ++ == 55((1 )
1)2 ++ 33((11))++11==9
Solution:
5
5 9 x  10 9 x  10 5 lim 9 x 5  10
9 x
im  10 lim  x 2

2 2 2
2 x21x  1 x  2 7 x  2 x  1 lim 7 x  2 x  1 7 (l
x 2 7 x
x2  x 2 x

5 lim 59 x 5  10 9(lim x55 )  lim 10 

59 x  10 lim x9
x 2  10 9( x  2 x )  lim
lim x  2 10 7
9 x  10
lim 
x 2
 x 22 x 2
x 2 7 x 2  2 x 
 1 lim 7 x 2
 2 x  
1 7 ( lim x )  2( lim x )  lim 1
2 2 2
x  2x 1 lim x7x2  2x 1 7(lim x )  2(lim
x 2 x 2
x ) xlim
2
1
x 2 x 2 x 2 x 2
9( 2 5 )  10 298
 9(22 5 )  10  298
 7( 2 )  2( 2)  1  33
Unity University
7( 2 2 )  2( 2)  1 33
25
 Limits And Continuity. . .
• As we have tried to emphasize, in taking the limit of a function f as x tends to c, it
does not matter whether f is defined at c and, if so, how it is defined there.
• The only thing that matters is the values taken on by f at numbers x near c.
• Take a look at the three cases depicted in Figure below
• In the first case, f (c) = L.
• In the second case, f is not defined at c.
• In the third case, f is defined at c, but f (c) ≠ L.
• However, in each case:
lim f  x  L
x c

• This is b/s, as suggested in

the figures, as x approaches
c, f(x) approaches L.
Unity University
 Limits And Continuity . . .
3.2. Limits of a Polynomial and Rational Functions:

Is a rational function

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 Limits And Continuity . . .
x 3
Ex 3: Find lim
x 1 x  1

Solution:
• The lim(x-1) = 0 as x approaches 1
• This implies the quotient rule for limits does not apply here
• When the denominator of the given rational function approaches zero, while the
numerator does not
• We can conclude that the limit does not exist.
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Limits And Continuity . . .

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 Limits And Continuity . . .
A Limit to be Simplified
• When both the numerator and the denominator of the given rational function
approach zero, you must simplify the function algebraically in order to find the
Ex 4:
desired limit.
2
x 4 ( x  2)( x  2)
lim lim Ex 5: Findthe x  2) 4
lim(limit
x 2 x  2 x 2 x 2 x 2

Solution: first simplify and put the value 3 in for x.

Ex 5: Find the limit

Solution: first simplify and put the value 3 in for x.

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Limits And Continuity . . .

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Limits And Continuity . . .

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 Limits And Continuity . . .

Ex 8: Find the limit

Solution
e limit = = =

lliim
miitt = =

= =
= =
= Unity University 33
 Limits And Continuity . . .
Example 9 2
• Set f  x    9 and let c = 3.
x
x 3
• Note that the function f is not defined at 3:
• At 3, both numerator and denominator are 0.
• But that doesn’t matter.
• For x ≠ 3, and therefore for all x near 3,

x 2  9  x  3 x  3
 x  3
x 3 x 3

• Therefore, if x is close to 3, then is close to 3 + 3 = 6

x2  9
We conclude that: lim lim  x  3Unity
 University
6 34
x 3 x  3 x 3
Limits And Continuity . . .

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 Limits And Continuity . . .
Example
11:

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 Limits And Continuity . . .
Limits Involving Infinity

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Limits And Continuity . . .

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 Limits And Continuity . . .

xeEx
rci14:
se 3: Find the

Steps: Divide the numerator and denominator by the highest power –

𝑥 10000 1 10000
2
+ 2 +
𝑥 𝑥 𝑥 𝑥
2

2
𝑥+ 10000 𝑥 1
lim 2
= 2
=
𝑥→∞ 𝑥 𝑥 1

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 Limits And Continuity . . .
Trigonometric Limits

From this it follows readily that

 Limits And Continuity . . .
Trigonometric Limits . . .
 Limits And Continuity . . .
Trigonometric Limits . . .

In more general terms,

 Limits And Continuity . . .
Trigonometric Limits . . .
Ex 1
sin 4 x 1  cos 2 x
Find lim and lim
x 0 3x x 0 5x
Solution
• To calculate the first limit, we “pair off” sin 4x with 4x and use (2.5.6):
• Therefore: lim sin 4 x lim  4 sin 4 x   4 lim sin 4 x  4 1  4
3x x 0  3 4 x  3 x 0 4 x 3 3
x 0
 
• The second limit can be obtained the same way:
1  cos 2 x 2 1  cos 2 x 2 1  cos 2 x 2
lim lim   lim  0  0
x 0 5x x 0 5 2x 5 x 0 2x 5
 Limits And Continuity . . .
Trigonometric Limits . . .
Ex 2 Ex 4
x2
Find: lim x cot 3x. Finding the: lim .
x→0 x→0 sec x – 1

Ex 3 1
sin( x  )
4
Find: xlim
 /4 1
.
(x   )2
4
 Limits And Continuity . . .
4. CONTINUOUS FUNCTIONS: DEFINITION?
• A continuous function can be defined as one whose graph can be drawn without
lifting or removing a pen from the paper
• A function whose graph is broken (disconnected) at x = c is said to be
discontinuous at x = c

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 Limits And Continuity . . . lim
x c
lim
x c

4.1 Continuity at a Point

• If one or more of the above conditions is not satisfied, f is said to be
discontinuous at c.
f(x)
f(x)
f(x)
lim lim 
x c x c

X
f(c) 0 c
c
X
c X
0
(b ) (C)
Note that:
 lim f(x) exists, but lim f(x) f(c)  lim f(x) does not exist
(a) x c x c x c
 lim f(x) exists, and lim f(x) = f(c)
x c x c
 The function is not continuous at c.  Thelim
function is not continuous at c.
x c

 The function is continuous at c  The function f is broken at c  The function f is broken at c

 The function f is unbroken at c  RemovUnity
abUniversity
le discontinuity  Jump disconti46nuity
 Limits And Continuity . . .
Ex 1: Show that the polynomial function p(x) = 3x3 – x + 5 is continuous at x =1

Solution: Check whether the above three conditions are satisfied or not

i) P(1) is defined
i i) lim p( x) exists
x 1

iii) lim p( x) = p(1)

x 1

7=7
TThheererefoforereththeefufunncctitoionnpp(x(x) )==33x3x3––xx++55isiscocnotnitniunouuosusataxt x==1 1
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 Limits And Continuity . . .
x2  1
Ex 2: Show that f ( x)  is not continuous (discontinuous) at x =1
x 1
Solution:
i) f(1) is not defined
i i) lim f ( x) exists b/s
x 1

 Hence, even if the limit of the function exists, since it is not defined at x = 1,
the function f(x) is discontinuous at x = 1.
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 Limits And Continuity . . .

Ex 3: Check if = is continues at x = 0 and 1

Solution:

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Limits And Continuity . . .

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Summary of Continuity at a Point

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 Limits And Continuity . . .
4.2 Continuity on an Interval

• Definitions of continuity for functions that are continuous in an interval

are given as:-
A function is continuous on an open interval (a, b), or simply continuous on (a,
b), if it is continuous at every point in (a, b)

A function is continuous on a closed interval [a, b] or simply continuous on [a,

b], if it is continuous at every point in (a, b) and is also continuous from the
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right at a and continuous from the left at b.
E
Exx 33::
Limits Andx Continuity
5 ...
 Sh o w t h at th e fun
Show that the function c tion
ff (( xx))  x 5
 xx25 iiss ccoonnttiinnuuoouuss oonn tthhee ooppeenn iinntteerrvvaall ((--33,,
EExx 53: Show that the function f ( x) x  2 is continuous on the open interval (-3, 2)
x 2
22))..and closed interval [-3, 2]
S
Soolluuttiioon
n::
 T
Thhee tthhrreeee ccoonnddiittiioonnss ffoorr ccoonnttiinnuuiittyy aarree ssaattiissffiieedd ffoorr aannyy vvaalluuee ooff xx bbeettw
weeeenn ––33
aanndd 22 ((--33 <
< xx << 22))..
 T
Thheerreeffoorree,, tthhee ffuunnccttiioonn iiss ccoonnttiinnuuoouuss iinn tthhee ooppeenn iinntteerrvvaall ((--33,, 22))..
 H o w e v e r , th e f u n ct io n is no t c o n t in u ou s
However, the function is not continuous for the closed interval  3,2 , sincef o r t he c l o s e d i n t e rv a l , si n ce
ff((xx)) iiss ddiissccoonnttiinnuuoouuss aatt xx = 2 , ( f ( x ) i s n ot d e fin
= 2, ( f(x) is not defined at x = 2 ).e d a t x = 2 ) .
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 Limits And Continuity . . .
EEx
x 46:: Find value of
Find the value ofthe
theconstant
constantAAsuch
such that
that thethe function
function f(x)f(x)
willwill be continuous
be continuous forx all x.
for all
 Ax  3ifx  2
f(x)=  2
2 x  x  3ifx 2
Solution:
 Hint: equate the right and left side limits of the function as x approaches to 2 and find
the value of A
 Then f(x) = 2A-3 from the left and 2(22)-2+3 from the right
 Equate the left and the right side of the equation
 f(x) = 2A-3 = 2(22)-2+3 2A-3 = 8-2+3
 2A-3 = 9
 2A-3 = 9
 2A = 12. A = 6 Unity University 54
 Limits And Continuity . . .
Exercise 5:
UNIT TWO:
1. Decide whether LIMITS
the following AND
functions CONTINUITY
are continuous at the specified value of x

 x  1ifx 3
a) f(x)= 3ifx  3 ; x = 3 Answer: No


 x  1ifx  0
b)f(x)=  x  1ifx 0 ;x=0 Answer: No


2. For what value of the constant A is the below function continuous for all real x

 Ax  5 ifx  1
f ( x)  2
 x  3 x  4 ifx 1 Unity University 55
 Limits And Continuity . . .
4.3. PROPERTIES OF CONTINUOUS FUNCTIONS

• The continuity property of some specific functions enables us:

a. to determine intervals of continuity without looking at the behavior

of the graphs or the 3 conditions for continuity.

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 Limits And Continuity . . .
1) A constant function f(x) = k, where k is any constant, is continuous for all x.
Ex 1: f(x) = 3 is continuous for all x.
2) Polynomials are continuous at each point.
Ex 2: f(x) = 3x3 + 2x2 + 1 is continuous for all x.
3) If p and q are polynomials, then the rational function p/q is continuous at each
point where it is defined.
Ex 3:
x 2 1
f(x) = is continuous for all x except at x = 3 that makes the denominator zero
x 3
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 Limits And Continuity . . .
4) If f(x) and g(x) are both continuous functions, then
x)aa x)) 
)) fgf ((( x isgg(continuous
(xx) )isiscontinuous
continuous
nuousExample 4 If f ( x)  2 2 x 2
 12 and )
gx()x x(x1)1 then
Example
Ex
ample 2
4:
4 If f (4x If
)  f
2 (xx )  1 2 x and 1 g and
( g
x x  1 then
then
2 x  1 and g ( x)  x 2 1 then 2 2
ff ((xx))gg ( x()xor
) 2 ( 2 x( 2
or x 1)
2 1()x 
 1()xor 212)x or 2 2 2 x 
x xand 2xxand 2 2x 2are
 con
x
f 2 x )  g ( x ) or ( 2 x 2 1) ( x  1)2or 2 x  x and 2 x  x  2 are
(
(2 x  1) ( x  1) or 2 x  x and 2 x  x  2 are continuous functions
b)b)f)(xff)((.x
b xg))(x.). igsg(c(xoxn)t)iinsuioscuoscnotinntuin
ouusous
nxt)iEn.xug5o:(ux s) i s c o n t i n u o u s
Taking the above example in 4(a), (2x2 + 1) (x –1) is continuous 2
EExxaam m ppllee 55 : : TaTkainkgintg he t h abeovaeboexvaemepx leam
inp4le(a)i,n(24x(a
xac)mpleis c5on:tinuoTusa, ikf ian
a k i n
f (gx ) t h e a b o v e ndgonltyhifeg(xa) b
e x a m p l e o
i 0 ve example+ i1
n 4 ( a) , ( 2 x 2
n) 4((xa)–, 1()2xi
c o
g (nxt) inuous
continuous
inuExo6uf: s( xf )( x)  2 x 12
is continuous except at x = 1
c) f (xg)( x)is cxon1tinuous, if anUnitydUniversity
0
c) g ( x) is continuous, if and only if g(x) 0 only if g(x) 58
 Limits And Continuity . . .
5) If f(x) is continuous at x = c then  f(x) is continuous at x = c
6)
n f ( x)
• If n is an odd positive integer greater than 1, is continuous wherever f(x) is
continuous
n f ( x)
• If n is an even positive integer, is continuous wherever f(x) is continuous
and non-negative

7) If g(x) is continuous at x = c and the function f(x) is continuous at g(c) then the
composite function fog is continuous at x = c.

Note: f  g (x )
The composite function is the function formed from the two functions (u)
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and g(x) by substituting g(x) for u in the formula for f(u).
 Limits And Continuity . . .
5. Economic Applications on Limit
Ex 1:
1. The cost equation for metal factory in manufacturing spade is:
C(x) = 50000 + 50x,
Where,
 x is the number of spade produced,
 the average cost per spade is

• If 50 spades were manufactured, what is the average cost per spade?

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 Limits And Continuity . . .

Solution:

• We know, that

AC = 50000  50 x
AC = c( x) 
c( x) x 50000
x
 50 x

52,500 52,50
lim c( x) lim 50000  50 x 4750
x  50 
 50 5
x  50
lim
xc ( x )
lim
x 50000  5 50 x 4750= = 1050
x  50  x  50
x x 5

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 Limits And Continuity . . .
Ex 2:

2. A metal factory producing a construction materials and has established that on the
average, a new employee can produce f(x) construction materials per day after x
days of on-the-job training, as given by:
1000 x
f(x) = ,
x9
Then find:

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 Limits And Continuity . . .

Solution:

• We know, that

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Summary of Continuity

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Summary of Continuity …

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Summary of Continuity on an interval

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Unity University 67
Continuity on Intervals
A function f is said to be continuous on an interval if it is continuous at each interior
point of the interval and one-sidedly continuous at whatever endpoints the interval may
contain.
For example:
(i) The function
is continuous on [−1, 1] because it is continuous at each point of (−1, 1),
continuous from the right at −1, and continuous from the left at 1.
The graph of the function is the semicircle.
(ii) The function
is continuous on (−1, 1) because it is continuous at each point of (−1, 1). It is not
continuous on [−1, 1) because it is not continuous from the right at −1. It is not
continuous on (−1, 1] because it is not continuous from the left at 1.
(iii) The function graphed in Figure 2.4.8 is continuous on (−∞, 1] and continuous on
(1,∞). It is not continuous on [1,∞) because it is not continuous from the right at 1.
(iv) Polynomials, being everywhere continuous, are continuous on (−∞,∞).
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Continuous functions have special properties not shared by other functions.
 Limits And Continuity . . .
Exercise 6
• By using the above continuity properties, determine whether the following
functions are continuous or not.
ntinuous or not.

a) f(x) = x3 + x – 3 c) f ( x ) 3 x 2

2x
b) f ( x)  d) f ( x)  x  2
( x  2)( x  1)

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Answer:
a) f(x) is continuous for all x since it is a polynomial function
b) Since f(x) is a rational function, it is continuous for all x except at x = 2 and x = 1 which
make the denominator zero.
c) f(x) is continuous for all x since n is positive and x2 is continuous.
d) Since n = 2 is even and x-2 is continuous and non-negative for x 2 , f(x) is continuous
for x 2, i.e on the interval 2, 

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 Thank
Unity University
You! 71