COLEGIO VENECIA – NUEVO MUZÚ I.E.D.

Reconocimiento Resolución 2373 de Agosto 14 de 2.002

Nit. 860.532.363-1 – DANE 111001010251
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“FORMACION, LIBERTAD Y COMPROMISO PARA UN MUNDO MEJOR”

SELF-LEARNING GUIDE
Area / Subject:
Teacher's name:
MATH – Differential and Integral
WILLIAM FERNANDO PACHECO
Calculus
Working W.H.I. (Weekly GUIDE 3
Level: (11th) Grade(s):
day: hourly intensity)
Weeks 5 and 6
ELEVENTH 1101-1102 -1103 4 hours
Afternoon (August 20th to August 30th)

Thematic axis: Continuous Functions - Discontinuities Term III/2024

Objectives:
➢ To develop the mathematical thinking of students through the mastery of
numerical, geometric and measurement systems and the relationship
between them to solve significant problem situations.
➢ Develop communication skills that allow students to read, write, listen,
understand and express themselves correctly based on mathematics.
➢ To develop in the students attitudes that lead to a democratic coexistence
based on autonomy, respect, responsibility, tolerance and solidarity.
Description of activities:
Follow the INSTRUCTIONS throughout the guide. Transcribe the theoretical part to the
math notebook. You must solve the exercises proposed in the “Learning Activities”
on grid sheets filed in your folder.
NOTE: Exercise without process is not valid.
Suggested study material:
✓ Videos.
Evaluation process:
You must submit the solution of the proposed exercises on the established date and
support your work at the time the teacher reviews it.

You must submit your work on Monday September 2nd (1101), Tuesday September
3rd (1102) and Wednesday September 4th (1103), at the respective class time.

Annexes: look at the following videos:

Continuidad de una Función (youtube.com)
Discontinuidad Evitable y Esencial. (youtube.com)

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 COLEGIO VENECIA – NUEVO MUZÚ I.E.D.
Reconocimiento Resolución 2373 de Agosto 14 de 2.002
Nit. 860.532.363-1 – DANE 111001010251
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“FORMACION, LIBERTAD Y COMPROMISO PARA UN MUNDO MEJOR”

UNIT 3: LIMITS and CONTINUITY

Continuity

Limits and continuity concept is one of the most crucial topics in calculus. A limit is defined as a number approached
by the function as an independent function’s variable approaches a particular value.

Continuity is another popular topic in calculus. The easy method to test for the continuity of a function is to examine
whether a pen can trace the graph of a function without lifting the pen from the paper. When you are doing
precalculus and calculus, a conceptual definition is almost sufficient, but for higher level, a technical explanation
is required. You can learn a better and precise way of defining continuity by using limits.

Continuity Definition

Many functions have the property that they can trace their graphs with a pencil without lifting the pencil from the
paper’s surface. These types of functions are called continuous. Intuitively, a function is continuous at a particular
point if there is no break in its graph at that point.

A precise definition of continuity of a real function is provided generally in a calculus introductory course in terms
of a limit idea.

First, a function 𝒇 with variable 𝒙 is continuous at the point “ 𝒂” on the real line, if the limit of 𝒇(𝒙), when 𝒙
approaches the point “𝒂”, is equal to the value of 𝒇(𝒙) at “𝒂”, i.e., 𝒇(𝒂).

Second, the function (as a whole) is continuous, if it is continuous at every point in its domain.

Mathematically, continuity can be defined as given below: A function is said to be continuous at a particular point
if the following three conditions are satisfied.

1. 𝒇(𝒂) is defined.
2. 𝐥𝐢𝐦 𝒇(𝒙) exists.
𝒙→𝒂
3. 𝐥𝐢𝐦 𝒇(𝒙) = 𝐥𝐢𝐦− 𝒇(𝒙) = 𝒇(𝒂)
𝒙→𝒂+ 𝒙→𝒂

As mentioned before, a function is said to be continuous if you can trace its graph without lifting the pen from the
paper. But a function is said to be discontinuous when it has any gap in between.

Below figure shows the graph of a continuous function.

𝒇(𝒙) = 𝒆𝒔𝒊𝒏 𝒙

Types of Discontinuity
There are basically two types of discontinuity:
➢ Infinite Discontinuity and
➢ Jump Discontinuity.

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Reconocimiento Resolución 2373 de Agosto 14 de 2.002
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“FORMACION, LIBERTAD Y COMPROMISO PARA UN MUNDO MEJOR”

Infinite Discontinuity

A branch of discontinuity wherein, a vertical asymptote is present

at 𝒙 = 𝒂 and 𝒇(𝒂) is not defined. This is also called Asymptotic

𝒙=𝒂
Discontinuity.

If a function has values on both sides of an asymptote, then it

cannot be connected, so it is discontinuous at the asymptote.

This can be shown using the graph as given below.

Jump Discontinuity

A branch of discontinuity wherein 𝐥𝐢𝐦+ 𝒇(𝒙) ≠ 𝐥𝐢𝐦− 𝒇(𝒙), but both the limits are
𝒙→𝒂 𝒙→𝒂
finite.

This is also called simple discontinuity or continuities of the first kind. The graphical
representation of jump discontinuity is given below.

Positive Discontinuity
A branch of discontinuity wherein a function has a predefined two-sided limit at 𝒙 = 𝒂,
but either 𝒇(𝒙) is undefined at 𝒂, or its value is not equal to the limit at 𝒂. This is also
called a removable discontinuity.

Graphically, this can be shown as:

A function 𝒇(𝒙) is said to be discontinuous at 𝒂 if 𝒇(𝒙) is not continuous for 𝒙 = 𝒂.

When a function is discontinuous it is important to distinguish two possibilities:
✓ If the 𝐥𝐢𝐦 𝒇(𝒙) does not exist, we say that the discontinuity is essential.
𝒙→𝒂
✓ If the 𝐥𝐢𝐦 𝒇(𝒙) exists, we say that the discontinuity is avoidable.
𝒙→𝒂

To make a function with an avoidable discontinuity continuous, only its possible value for 𝒙 = 𝒂 is altered in 𝒇(𝒙),
so that it becomes 𝒇(𝒂) = 𝑳. By doing this, it is said that the discontinuity at 𝒂 has been avoided.

𝒙𝟐 −𝒙
Example 1: Show that the function 𝒇(𝒙) = 𝟐 ∙ has an avoidable discontinuity for 𝒙 = 𝟏.
𝒙−𝟏

12 −1 0 0
Solution: If 𝒙 = 𝟏, 𝒇(𝟏) is not defined. [𝑓(1) = 2 ∙ 1−1
= 2 ∙ 0 = 0]

𝒙𝟐 −𝒙 𝒙𝟐 −𝒙 𝒙(𝒙−𝟏) 𝒙
For 𝒙 ≠ 𝟏, 𝒇(𝒙) = 𝟐 ∙ we have that 𝐥𝐢𝐦 𝟐 ∙ = 𝐥𝐢𝐦 𝟐 ∙ = 𝐥𝐢𝐦 𝟐 ∙ 𝟏 = 𝐥𝐢𝐦 𝟐𝒙, therefore,
𝒙−𝟏 𝒙→𝟏 𝒙−𝟏 𝒙→𝟏 𝒙−𝟏 𝒙→𝟏 𝒙→𝟏
𝐥𝐢𝐦 𝟐𝒙 = 𝟐 ∙ 𝟏 = 𝟐.
𝒙→𝟏

Since this limit exists but 𝒇(𝟏) does not exist, the function has an avoidable discontinuity at 𝒙 = 𝟏.

We then redefine 𝒇(𝒙) for 𝒙 = 𝟏. We define 𝒇(𝟏) = 𝟐 and convert the function 𝒇 into a continuous
function.

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“FORMACION, LIBERTAD Y COMPROMISO PARA UN MUNDO MEJOR”

Namely:
𝒙𝟐 − 𝒙
𝒇(𝒙) = { 𝟐 ∙ 𝒙−𝟏
,𝒙 ≠ 𝟏
𝟐 ,𝒙 = 𝟏
Example 2: Let us determine which of the following functions are continuous and which are not at the indicated
point.
a. 𝒇(𝒙) = 𝒙𝟐 + 𝟏 at 𝒙 = −𝟏.
Solution: 𝒇(−𝟏) = (−𝟏)𝟐 + 𝟏 = 𝟏 + 𝟏 = 𝟐
𝐥𝐢𝐦 (𝒙𝟐 + 𝟏) = (−𝟏)𝟐 + 𝟏 = 𝟏 + 𝟏 = 𝟐
𝒙→−𝟏
Since 𝒇(−𝟏) = 𝐥𝐢𝐦 𝒇(𝒙), then 𝒇(𝒙) is continuous at 𝒙 = −𝟏.
𝒙→−𝟏
𝟏
b. 𝒇(𝒙) = at 𝒙 = 𝟎.
𝒙
𝟏
Solution: 𝒇(𝟎) = does not exist, then 𝒇(𝒙) is not continuous at 𝒙 = 𝟎; furthermore, 𝒇(𝒙)
𝟎
𝟏 𝟏
cannot be redefined to be continuous since 𝐥𝐢𝐦 ( ) = does not exist.
𝒙→𝟎 𝒙 𝟎
𝒙𝟐 −𝟒𝒙+𝟒
c. 𝒇(𝒙) = at 𝒙 = 𝟐.
𝒙−𝟐
𝟐𝟐 −𝟒∙𝟐+𝟒 𝟒−𝟖+𝟒 𝟎
Solution: 𝒇(𝟐) = 𝟐−𝟐
= 𝟎 = 𝟎 does not exist, then 𝒇(𝒙) is not continuous at 𝒙 = 𝟐.
𝒙𝟐 −𝟒𝒙+𝟒 (𝒙−𝟐)𝟐 (𝒙−𝟐)(𝒙−𝟐) 𝒙−𝟐
𝐥𝐢𝐦 ( 𝒙−𝟐 ) = 𝐥𝐢𝐦 𝒙−𝟐 = 𝐥𝐢𝐦 (𝒙−𝟐) = 𝐥𝐢𝐦 𝟏 = 𝐥𝐢𝐦 𝒙 − 𝟐 = 𝟐 − 𝟐 = 𝟎 then 𝒇
𝒙→𝟐 𝒙→𝟐 𝒙→𝟐 𝒙→𝟐 𝒙→𝟐
can be redefined to be continuous, so
𝒙𝟐 − 𝟒𝒙 + 𝟒
𝒇(𝒙) = { 𝒙 − 𝟐 𝒊𝒇 𝒙 ≠ 𝟐
𝟎 𝒊𝒇 𝒙 = 𝟐

Learning Activities – Workshop

1. Determine which of the following functions are continuous in ℝ; if not, indicate the value for which
they are not continuous.
a. 𝒇(𝒙) = 𝒙𝟑 − 𝟒𝒙𝟐 + 𝒙 − 𝟏 g. 𝒇(𝒙) =
𝟐𝒙+𝟓
𝟑−𝒙 𝟒𝒙+𝟏𝟎
b. 𝒇(𝒙) = h. 𝒇(𝒙) = √𝒙
𝒙𝟐 −𝟗
𝟐
c. 𝒇(𝒙) = i. 𝒇(𝒙) = 𝟑𝒙 + 𝟐
𝒙
√𝑥−1
d. 𝒇(𝒙) = 𝒙 − 𝟏 j. 𝒇(𝒙) =
𝑥−1
e. 𝒇(𝒙) = 𝒙𝟐 − 𝟑𝒙 + 𝟏 𝒙𝟐 −𝟔𝒙+𝟗
3 k. 𝒇(𝒙) =
f. 𝒇(𝒙) = 𝑥+4 𝒙−𝟑

2. Determine which of the following functions are continuous at the given point.
𝒙𝟑 −𝟏
a. 𝒇(𝒙) = , at 𝒙 = 𝟏
𝒙−𝟏
3
b. 𝒇(𝒙) = , at 𝒙 = 𝟐
𝑥−2
𝒙−𝟔
c. 𝒇(𝒙) = , at 𝒙 = −𝟔
𝒙𝟐 −𝟑𝟔
d. 𝒇(𝒙) = √𝑥, at 𝒙 = 𝟎
𝟏
e. 𝒇(𝒙) = , at 𝒙 = 𝟒
√𝒙−𝟒

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“FORMACION, LIBERTAD Y COMPROMISO PARA UN MUNDO MEJOR”

𝑥 2 −5𝑥+6
f. 𝒇(𝒙) = 𝑥−3 , at 𝒙 = 𝟑
g. 𝒇(𝒙) = 𝒙 + 𝟏, at 𝒙 = −𝟏
𝑥 3 +8
h. 𝒇(𝒙) = , at 𝒙 = −𝟐
𝑥+2
𝟐𝒙−𝟒
i. 𝒇(𝒙) = , at 𝒙 = 𝟐
𝒙𝟐 −𝟐
𝑥 2 −𝑥−2
j. 𝒇(𝒙) = , at 𝒙 = 𝟏
𝑥 2 −1
k. 𝒇(𝒙) = √𝒙 − 𝟏 − 𝟏, at 𝒙 = 𝟐

3. Determine, in each case, whether the discontinuity is avoidable or essential. If avoidable,

redefine the function.
𝒙𝟐 −𝟗
a. 𝒇(𝒙) =
𝒙−𝟑
2𝑥+5
b. 𝒇(𝒙) =
5𝑥+3
𝒙𝟐 −𝟒
c. 𝒇(𝒙) =
𝒙𝟐 +𝟖
𝑥 2 +4𝑥−21
d. 𝒇(𝒙) =
𝑥 2 −9
𝒙𝟑 −𝟖
e. 𝒇(𝒙) =
𝒙𝟐 −𝟒𝒙+𝟒
3𝑥 3 +9𝑥 2
f. 𝒇(𝒙) = 𝑥 2 +6𝑥−9
𝒙𝟐 −𝟖𝟏
g. 𝒇(𝒙) =
𝟐𝒙+𝟏𝟖
𝑥 2 −25
h. 𝒇(𝒙) =
3𝑥−15
𝟐𝒙𝟐 +𝒙
i. 𝒇(𝒙) = 𝟒𝒙+𝟐
𝑥 3 +8
j. 𝒇(𝒙) = 𝑥 2 +4𝑥+4

NOTE: our face-to-face will be adequate space for questions or concerns.

Communication channel: WhatsApp 3052521453 (only written messages)

Successes and don't forget:

“Don't count the days, make the days count”

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