Continuity and Differentiability - Classwork

Continuity and Differentiability - Classwork

Back in our precalculus days, we dabbled in the concept of continuity. We reached a very informal definition of
continuity: a curve is continuous if you can draw it without taking your pencil from the paper. This is a good
"loose" definition but when one examines it closely, it is filled with holes. For instance, we know that the
function f (x) = x 2 is a parabola and the parabola is continuous. But can we really draw it in its entirety without
taking our pencil from the paper? Try it.

So we need a definition of continuity that is better than the one given above. We will use the following definition
for continuity of a function.

A function is continuous at c if all three of the following holds:
0% I.
limf (x) exists *1(c) exists 3. limf (x) = f (c)

What we are saying is this: for the function to be continuous at some value of c.

1) as x gets closer and closer to c both on the left and right, we approach the samey-value.
2) the function is defined at x = c.
3) they-value limit you got in step 1 is the same as the value you get for the function at c in step 2.

If a function is continuous at all values of x then we say it is a continuous function. A function can be continuous
in certain parts of its domain and discontinuous in others.

Examples: In the following graphs determine if the function f (x) is continuous at the marked value of c, and if
not, determine which of the 3 rules of continuity the function fails.

c)

~(7r) DN6 -fCi) DN E 1(b)) 1in (x7) Cavhr-)u..O US
x-'3

L()DNE -S(— ) bwE AS1fir n.buS ~i +(?t) bNE

Example a) above is an example of a "step" discontinuity. Notice how the function make a step at x = 3. Example
b) is an example of a removable discontinuity (we usually call it a hole). We will see why it is called removable
when we examine it in algebraic form. Vo — r vvtt &ktt ai 5 (in ah

VA &nck. '5UM fas N4rtntuVOJOC ol5c nh

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When we examine functions in algebraic form, we can make the following conclusions:

a) all polynomials limf(x) exists tf(c) exists 3. limf(x) f(c) are continuous at all values of x.

= g(x) are discontinuous wherever g(x) = 0.

b) fractions in the form of y

c) radicals in the form of y = odd root 1(x) are continuous everywhere.

d) radicals in the form of y = evenrog/f(x) are discontinuous where 1(x) <0.

Examples: Find any points of discontinuity of the following functions.

a) f(x)-3x 2 -5x+1 x-2 c) f(x)=Vx2 + 2x _l d)

b) f()

I1Dt a+tE-t - 3

A-

v'

In dealing with continuity of a piecewise function, we need to examine the x-value where the rule changes.

[x2_3 x ~1 1x2 + 3x _2,x ~2
Example 3) 1(x) = I 1-x,x<1
Example 4) 1(x) = 1j-x2,x<-2
t, O) —2.

LJ1 %.3y-2-q
C.

j j-fim. t'

Jj'r çtx) bNE '-1

iS x-4

pj j X = Example 6) 1(x) = X 2 -16 ,x~4

3_x_Lx~_1 1

Example 5) 1(x) = i

l.Ei)t Q1- x+1 3x-4

2t4nn -x 1SAaf I
-

2L

JcL) oN _I 3 aix
;k -L4

Find the value of the constant k that will make the function continuous. Verify by calculator.

Example 7) 1(x) 3x+2,x~1 2x2 1k2_12x,x~1
Example 9) 1(x)
= ~2k — < Example 8) 1(x)
=1,x <1
- = ~kx — 6,x <2
k-12_
f(z 1-jk

•u

-

Jim kCrx')

1k-2- LP

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An important concept in calculus involves the concept of differentiability. There are several definitions that you
need to know:

Definitions
at a point: Function f(x) is differentiable at x = c if and only if [(C) exists. That is, [(c)
area! number.
ity on an interval: Function f(x) is differentiable on an interval (a,b) if and only if it is
for every value of x on the interval (a,b).
lity: Function f(x) is differentiable if and only if it is differentiable at every value of x in its
domain.

The concept of differentiability means, in laymans terms, "smooth." A differentiable curve will have no sharp
points in it (cusp points) or places where the tangent line to the curve is vertical. Imagine a train traveling on a set
of differentiable tracks and you will never get a derailment. Naturally, if a curve is to be differentiable, it must be
defined at every point and its limit must exist everywhere. That implies the following:

not
If a function f(x) is differentiable at x = c then it must be continuous also at x = C.

However, if a function is continuous at x = c, it need not be differentiable at x = c.

if a function is not continuous, then it can't be differentiable at x = c. I not C =t not D

Example: determine whether the following functions are continuous, differentiable, neither, or both at the point.

o+k 00

o4 D\ 4caa4-c&b(c
h)

r in v o cS > oic
i) f(x)=x 2 -6x+1
No4- D.4cnji+ccfrtC CGYk— w.oLcc YL
x2 —x-12
NofDf4t' J'Jt4ktr
j) f(x)= x+ 3
k) f(x) =sin x
-lot) (x;C5-7

hok

MasterMaibMentor. corn 57 - Stu Schwart

Example 2) Determine if f is continuous and/or differentiable at the value of the function where the rule
changes. Sketch the function.

Z

fc) {x_6x+1Ox~2 # b) 3,x~1 tz
a)
4 x,x<2 -x-4,x-c-1

4.7tr2 eni V ,JIrr
• 29-i 44

br Ic ttt-' for) - 3 r' 4td
3jaiat) =l
mu- ho! ci; c-II
a] %t')..

Jjoi 4(x) AYtO(

t -f X = - /

['Jx+5,xa4 (x) = sinx,x ~O
f(x) =1 SCnO: o
C) A(t)r ~x-fRo2=,X.uc(Ohcct)
[4-k/x--4,x<4
' 1 ,Ltrn t%rQ

)LrA :4

un, L

i of ckt.&flt3 as venhk r
I e----
4- M

4— -

LIt& cu 44.nn4' cJ:Jc

Example 3) Find the values of a and b that make the function 4x) differentiable.

,20Y 1 ax 3
) ZL % b

f(x)=tb(x3)2+10x2-2

2. Lt1 C 6 \(1)t { tO 1 -
-
2.Jv? aAik urn (x4) r -2

t

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Continuity and Differentiability - Homework

1. In the following graphs determine if the function j(x)is continuous at the marked value of c, and if not,
- determine for which of the 3 rules of continuity the function fails.

2. Find the value of x where the function is discontinuous.

a. f(x)=x3+ 3X b. f(x)= c. f(x)=xx2+2x-24 d. f(x)= tan x
x2 -81 2 — 36

3. Find whether the function is continuous at the value where the rule for the function changes.

18_ x2,x< 2 kx2,x<i 12x,x<3
a. b.
C. Ax) [1O-x,x~t3
16-x,x~2 [l+x,xa1

MaslerMaibMenfop.com - 59 - Stu Schwartz

II d. x+3,x?-1 x <2 x 3 x- ,x~O,x~1
J x I2 x2—x
e. f(x)= 3,x=2 f.f(x)= 3,x=0

x +1,x >2 2,x=1

4. Find the value of the constant a that makes the function continuous.

l0.4x+2,x>1 x2,x>2 9- x2,x >2
a. f(x)= b C. f(x)= ~

.[0.3x+a,xsl ~a—x,x:52 ax,x:s

lax + 5,x <-1 0.4x + a2 x <-1 1a2 -x2,x <2
d. f(X)= ~ax + i.6,x ~-_i f. f(X)=ll.5ax,x~!2

Lax2,x a —1

5. Let a and b stand for constants and let Ib—x,x<1
f(x)=11a(x-2)2,x1
a. Find an equation relating a and b
ifjis to be continuous at x = 1. b. Find b if a = -1. Graph and show c. Find another value of a,

that the function is continuous b wheref is continuous.

6. Graph the function 1(x) = x + 4 + 10 2 and find what appears to be the limit of 1(x) as x approaches 2.

7. Sketch a function having the following attributes. b. has a step discontinuity at x = 3 where 1(3) = 7
a) has a value of f(2), a limit as x approaches 2,
but is not continuous at x = 2. d. the value of f(-2) = 3 but there is no limit of 1(x)
C. limf(x) = —2 but the function is not as x approaches -2 and no vertical asymptote there.

continuous at x = 4.

MasterMathMentor.com 60 - Stu Schwartz

8. For the following, state whether the function is continuous, differentiable, both, or neither at x =c

II

9. Sketch a function having the following attributes. b. is continuous at (-3, 1) but not differentiable there
a. is differentiable and continuous at point (2, 4) d. is differentiable at (2, -4) but not continuous there.

c. has a cusp at the point (-1, 3)

10. For each function, 4x), show work to determine whether the function is continuous or non-continuous,
differentiable, or non-differentiable, and sketch the curve. Show work necessary to prove your statements.

1x2,x ao Ix2 + 1,x ~t 0 4_ x2,x< 1
a. +1,x<0 ~2x + 2,x 2-1

I_x,x <0

cont, diff, both, neither cont, diff, both, neither cont, diff, both, neither

MasterMatbMentor. corn Stu Schwartz

1x2 +x _7,x ~2 Ix4 _2x2,x>1 AFx -3,x >1
e.
d. f(x) = —x — 5 si
[-1,xsl —,x
[5x-11,xc2 22

cont, diff, both, neither corn, diff, both, neither cont, thff, both, neither
sin(x),x > 0 [cos(x),x 0
3+(x+2),xa-2
g. f(x) h. f(x) =<[1_ x2,x< O i. f (x) =

~ 0= X'X :5 3—(x+2),x<-2

corn, cliff, both, neither corn, cliff, both, neither corn, diff, both, neither

11. Find the values of a and b that make the function f(x) differentiable. a/ x a 1
c. I
ni ax +10, x~2
a. a(x -2)2 + b,xcl b. f(x) = [x2 —6x+b,x<2 112 — bx',x <1

MaslerMathMentor. corn - 62 - Stu Schwartrc