BONGABON SENIOR HIGH SCHOOL

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LEARNING ACTIVITY SHEET IN BASIC CALCULUS

Quarter 3, Week 3
CONTINUITY OF A FUNCTION

Learning Competencies
1. Illustrate continuity of a function at a number (STEM_BC11LC-IIIc-1)
2. Determine whether a function is continuous at a number or not (STEM_BC11LC-IIIc-2)
3. Illustrate continuity of a function on an interval (STEM_BC11LC-IIIc-3)
4. Solves problems involving continuity of a function (STEM_BC11LC-IIId-3)

Key Concepts

Continuity at a Point
A function is continuous if there are no “breaks” in the graph of the function. That is, the graph of a
continuous function may be drawn completely without lifting the pen. The graph should have no holes or
gaps.

Activity 1.
A. Evaluate if the graph is continuous at: B. Evaluate if the graph is continuous at:
x = -2 ___________ x = -2 ___________
x = -1 ___________ x = -1 ___________
x = 0 ___________ x = 0 ___________
x = 1 ___________ x = 1 ___________
x = 2 ___________ x = 2 ___________

Source: courses.lumenlearning.com Source: activecalculus.org

Three Conditions of Continuity

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 (iii) f ( x)  lim f ( x)
xc xc

If at least one of these conditions is not met, f (x) is said to be discontinuous at x = c.

Example: Example:
1
Determine if f(x) = x2 + 2x is continuous at x = 2. Determine if f ( x)  is continuous at x=0
x2
1 1
i) f(2) = 22 + 2(2) = 8 i) f (0)  
02 2
ii) lim x 2  2 x  2 2  2(2)  8 1 1 1
x2
ii) lim  
x 0 x  2 02 2
iii) f (2)  lim
x 2
f ( x)
iii) f (0)  lim f ( x)
Thus, f(x) is continuous at x = 2. x0

Thus, f(x) is continuous at x = 0

Example: Example:
1 x2  9
Determine if is continuous at x = -2.
f ( x)  Determine if f ( x )  is continuous at x = -3.
x2 x3
i) 1 1 (undefined) (3) 2  9 0
f ( x)   i) f ( x)   (indeterminate)
22 0 (3)  3 0
Thus, f(x) is discontinuous at x = -2 Thus, f (x) is discontinuous at x = -3
because f (-2) is undefined. because f (2) is indeterminate.
 �+1 �� � < 4
Example: Given: f(x) = 2 Is the function f(x) continuous at x =5 or not?
(� − 4) + 3 �� � ≥ 4

Use three conditions on continuity of a function.

i) f(4) exist, that is (� − 4)2 + 3 = (4 − 4)2+3 = 3
ii) is the lim �(�) exist?
�→4
a. Evaluate lim− �(�) that is, lim− (� + 1)= 4+1 =5
�→4 �→4
b. Evaluate lim+ �(�) that is, lim+ (� − 4)2+3 = (4 − 4)2 +3 = 3
�→4 �→4
c. Since the lim− �(�) and the lim+ �(�) are not the same, then the lim �(�)= DNE
�→4 �→4 �→4
iii) f(4) = 3 and the lim �(�) is DNE, therefore, the function f(x) is discontinuous at x =4.
�→4

Types of Discontinuity
Some types of discontinuous functions are shown below:

Source: ck12.org Source: Study.com Source: Interacitve Mathematics

Jump Discontinuity Removable/Hole Discontinuity Infinite Discontinuity

Continuity on an Interval
A function f is continuous on an interval if it is continuous at each point of the interval. 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 limit is important in determining whether a function is continuous on an interval.

One-Sided Limit
1. Left-Hand Limit lim f ( x)  L (Read as “the limit of f (x) as x approaches c from the left equals L)
x c 

As x gets closer to c, but remains less than c, the corresponding value of f (x) gets closer to L.
x c means x < c
2. Right-Hand Limit lim f ( x)  R (Read as “the limit of f (x) as x approaches c from the left equals R.
x c 

As x gets closer to c, but remains greater than c, the corresponding value of f (x) gets closer to R.
x c+ means x > c

Continuity of Polynomial, Absolute Value, Rational and Square Root Functions

1. Polynomial functions are continuous everywhere.
2. The absolute value function f ( x)  x is continuous everywhere.
3. Rational functions are continuous on their respective domains.
4. The square root function f ( x)  x is continuous on 0,  .

Recall interval notation and set notation, hence, this is shown in the table below.
Types of Interval Interval Notation Set Notation
Finite Interval
Open Interval (a, b) a<x<b
Closed Interval [a, b] a<x<b
Combination (Open &Closed) [a, b) a<x<b
(a, b] a<x<b
Infinite Interval
Open Left-Bounded (a, ∞) x>a
Closed Left-Bounded [a, ∞) x>a
Open Right-Bounded (-∞, b) x<b
Closed Right-Bounded (-∞, b] x<b
Unbounded (-∞, ∞) R (set of all real numbers)
 Example:
Consider the graph of the function below and determine if the function is continuous or discontinuous
on the following intervals:

1. (-1, 1) continuous
2. [-4, 2) discontinuous
3. (-2, 2) continuous
4. [2, 4] discontinuous
5. [2, 3] discontinuous
Source: tutorial.math.lamar.edu

Examples:

Determine if the function is continuous at a given interval.

1. f ( x)  5 x  3  1,   Solution: Since f (x) is a polynomial function, then it is continuous everywhere.

Hence, f (x) is continuous at  1,  
.

2
2. f ( x )  x  4  3,3
x2
Solution: The domain of the given function would be all real numbers except 2. By direct
substitution:
22  4 0 Since, f (2) is indeterminate, then, f (x) is discontinuous at x = 2. And x = 2 is
f ( x)  
22 0
included in the given interval. Therefore, the function is discontinuous at x = 2.

x  1 x>8

3. Let f ( x )   x Is the function continuous on the interval (4, 10)?
 4  7 x8

Solution:
i) f (8)  8  7 ii.a) lim ( x  1)  8  1 ii.b) x 8
lim 7  7
4 
x 8 x 8  4 4
 27 9
9
 27 9

Since the right-hand side limit is equal to the left-hand side limit, then the lim f ( x) = 9
x8

And since f (8) = lim f ( x) therefore, the function is continuous at 8. And x = 8 is included in reference
x8
to the given interval.

x
Example: Investigate the largest interval over which f ( x)  2
is continuous.
x 1
Solution: x
Observe that the given rational function f ( x)  2 is not defined at x = 1 and x = −1.
x 1
Hence, the domain of h is the set R {−1, 1}. As mentioned earlier, a rational function is continuous on its
domain. Hence, f (x) is continuous over R {−1, 1}.

�2 −4
Example: Determine the largest interval where g(x) = �−2 is continuous.

Solution:
Note that g(x) is undefined at x = 2. Thus, if x ≠2, g(x) = x + 2, which is a polynomial function.
�2 −4
Therefore, g(x) = �−2
is continuous for all x ∈ R {2}.
 Activity 2
Determine if the function is continuous or discontinuous at x = c.
 x 3  3x
1. f ( x)  x 2  2; c 1 2. x3 3.  if x ≠ 0
f ( x)  ; c3 f ( x)   x 2 if x = 0 c0
x 3 1


Activity 3
Evaluate the following:
1. Is the function f ( x) 
3x  1 continuous at (5,5] ?
x4
2  x ; x 1
2. Identify the intervals where f ( x)   2 ; is continuous.
x  x 1
x 1

Activity 4
Use the graph below to determine whether the function f(x) is continuous on the given intervals.. Write C if it
is continuous otherwise D if discontinuous.

________________ 1. (−2 , -1)

________________ 2. [-1, 1)

________________ 3. (-4, -2)

________________ 4. [0, 2)

________________ 5. (3, ∞)

Source: tex.stockexchange .com

References:

Commission on Higher Education (2016). Teaching Guide for Senior High School General Mathematics. Quezon City:
Commission on Higher Education.

Department of Education-Bureau of Learning Resources (2016). Senior High School Basic Calculus Learner’s Material.

Sullivan, M. & Sulivan, M. III (2008). Precalculus Enhanced with Graphing Utility Fourth Edition. New Jersey:
Pearson Prentice Hall, Pearson Education, Inc.

Yunker, L., Vannatta, G., Crosswhite, F. (1981). Merrill Advanced Mathematical Concepts. Columbus, Ohio: Charles
E. Merill Publishing Company.

May Mandigal Youtube Channel. Basic Calculus - 06 Continuity of a Function on an Interval. Retrieved from
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6mZf0ucLgDI

STEM Teacher PH Youtube Channel. Continuity of a Function-Basic/Differential Calculus. Retrieved from

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Q6iLaihTeDc

Queenfinity and Beyond Youtube Channel. Continuity on an Interval (Practice Problems). Retrieved from
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4KY7FvyP5wY

Prepared by:

ELERIZA C. MUNCAL
T-III

Noted: Approved:

PATRIA P. ROBLES, Ph.D. MELBA JOY B. TALENS

Asst. School Principal II School Principal II