TOPIC 3.

2: Continuity on an Interval
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 the function is continuous on that interval.

We begin our discussion with two concepts which are important in determining whether a
function is continuous at the endpoints of closed intervals.

ONE-SIDED CONTINUITY

1. A function f is said to be continuous from the left at x = c if

f (c) = lim f (x).

x→c−

2. A function f is said to be continuous from the right at x = c if

f (c) = lim f (x).

x→c+

Here are known facts on continuities of functions on intervals:

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, ∞).

LIMITS AND CONTINUITY ON AN INTERVAL

We first look at graphs of functions to illustrate continuity on an interval.

83
All rights reserved. No part of this material may be reproduced or transmitted in any form or by any means -
electronic or mechanical including photocopying – without written permission from the DepEd Central Office. First Edition, 2017.
EXAMPLE 1: Consider the graph of the function f given below.

−2 −1 1 2
0

−1

−2

Using the given graph, determine if the function f is continuous on the following intervals:

1. (−1, 1) 2. (−∞, 0) 3. (0, +∞)

Solution. Remember that when we say “trace from the right side of x = c”, we are tracing not
from x = c on the x-axis, but from the point (c, f (c)) along the graph.

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).

2. 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).

3. 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, +∞).

84
All rights reserved. No part of this material may be reproduced or transmitted in any form or by any means -
electronic or mechanical including photocopying – without written permission from the DepEd Central Office. First Edition, 2017.
 EXAMPLE 2: Consider the graph of the function h below.

−2 −1 1 2
0

−1

−2

Determine using the given graph if the function f is continuous on the following intervals:

a. (−1, 1) b. [0.5, 2]

Solution. Because we are already given the graph of h, we characterize the continuity of h by
the possibility of tracing the graph without lifting the pen.

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).

2. 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].

85
All rights reserved. No part of this material may be reproduced or transmitted in any form or by any means -
electronic or mechanical including photocopying – without written permission from the DepEd Central Office. First Edition, 2017.
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. Here are definitions that will help
us:

A function f is said to be continuous

1. everywhere if f is continuous at every real number. In this case, we also say f is continuous
on R.

2. on (a, b) if f is continuous at every point x in (a, b).

3. on [a, b) if f is continuous on (a, b) and from the right at a.

4. on (a, b] if f is continuous on (a, b) and from the left at b.

5. on [a, b] if f is continuous on (a, b] and on [a, b).

6. on (a, ∞) if f is continuous at all x > a.

7. on [a, ∞) if f is continuous on (a, ∞) and from the right at a.

8. on (−∞, b) if f is continuous at all x < b.

9. on (−∞, b] if f is continuous on (−∞, b) and from the left at b.

√
EXAMPLE 3: Determine the largest interval over which the function f (x) = x + 2 is
continuous.

√
Solution. Observe that the function f (x) = x + 2 has function values only if x + 2 ≥ 0, that
is, if x ∈ [−2, +∞). For all c ∈ (−2, +∞),
√ √
f (c) = c + 2 = lim x + 2.
x→c

Moreover, f is continuous from the right at −2 because

√
f (−2) = 0 = lim x + 2.
x→−2+
√
Therefore, for all x ∈ [−2, +∞), the function f (x) = x + 2 is continuous. .

x
EXAMPLE 4: Determine the largest interval over which h(x) = is continuous.
x2 −1

x
Solution. Observe that the given rational function h(x) = is not defined at x = 1 and
−1 x2
x = −1. Hence, the domain of h is the set R \ {−1, 1}. As mentioned at the start of this topic,
a rational function is continuous on its domain. Hence, h is continuous over R \ {−1, 1}. .

86
All rights reserved. No part of this material may be reproduced or transmitted in any form or by any means -
electronic or mechanical including photocopying – without written permission from the DepEd Central Office. First Edition, 2017.
 


 x if x ≤ 0,

 3 if 0 < x ≤ 1,
EXAMPLE 5: Consider the function g(x) =


 3 − x2 if 1 < x ≤ 4,

 x−3 if x > 4.
Is g continuous on (0, 1]? on (4, ∞)?

Solution. Since g is a piecewise function, we just look at the ‘piece’ of the function corresponding
to the interval specified.

1. On the interval (0, 1], g(x) takes the constant value 3. Also, for all c ∈ (0, 1],

lim g(x) = 3 = g(c).

x→c

Thus, g is continuous on (0, 1].

2. For all x > 4, the corresponding ‘piece’ of g is g(x) = x − 3, a polynomial function. Recall
that a polynomial function is continuous everywhere in R. Hence, f (x) = x − 3 is surely
continuous for all x ∈ (4, +∞).

Solved Examples
EXAMPLE 1: Consider graph of the function f below.

−2 −1 1 2
0
−1

−2

Determine using the given graph if the function f is continuous on the following intervals.

87
All rights reserved. No part of this material may be reproduced or transmitted in any form or by any means -
electronic or mechanical including photocopying – without written permission from the DepEd Central Office. First Edition, 2017.
 1. (−2, 2). 2. (−∞, 0). 3. (0, +∞).

Solution. Note that tracing the graph of f from the left of x = −2 to the right of x = 2, we
need not lift our pen. Thus, f is continuous on (−2, 2). Moreover, f is continuous on (−∞, 0)
and on (0, +∞). .

EXAMPLE 2:

The graph of a function h is given below.

(3, 6)
(0, 5)

(3, 3)

(−2, 3)
(3, 2)

Solution. From the given graph,

1. h is continuous on (−∞, 2]. 5. h is discontinuous on (2, +∞).

2. h is continuous on (−∞, 0). 6. h is discontinuous on [2, +∞).

3. h is continuous on (−3, 0). 7. h is discontinuous on (0, 4).

4. h is continuous on [−2, 2]. 8. h is discontinuous on [−4, 4].

EXAMPLE 3: Determine the largest interval in which f (x) = x4 − x3 + 1 is continuous.

Solution. Since f is a polynomial function, then it is continuous everywhere. Hence, f is

continuous on R. .

88
All rights reserved. No part of this material may be reproduced or transmitted in any form or by any means -
electronic or mechanical including photocopying – without written permission from the DepEd Central Office. First Edition, 2017.
 x2 − 4
EXAMPLE 4: Determine the largest interval where g(x) = is continuous.
x−2

Solution. Note that g(x) is undefined at x = 2. Thus, if x 6= 2, g(x) = x + 2, which is a

x2 − 4
polynomial function. Therefore, g(x) = is continuous for all x ∈ R \ {2}. .
x−2

√
EXAMPLE 5: Determine the largest interval where h(x) = x2 + 1 is continuous.

Solution. Since x2 + 1 ≥ 0, for any x ∈ R, h is defined on R. Moreover, for any c ∈ R,

p
h(c) = c2 + 1 = lim h(x).
x→c

Hence, h is continuous on R .

√
EXAMPLE 6: Determine the largest interval where j(x) = x2 − 1 is continuous.

Solution. Note that j is defined only whenever x2 − 1 ≥ 0, that is, x ≤ −1 or x ≥ 1. Also, for
all c ∈ (−∞, −1) ∪ (1, +∞),
p
j(c) = c2 − 1 = lim j(x).
x→c

Therefore, j is continuous on (−∞, −1) ∪ (1, +∞). .

EXAMPLE 7: Consider the function given by


x − 1 if x < 4,
f (x) = √
 x+1 if x ≥ 4.

Solution. We have the following:

1. For x < 4, f (x) = x − 1 is a polynomial function and therefore, continuous everywhere.

Thus, f is continuous on (−∞, 4).
√ √
2. For x > 4, f (x) = x + 1 is always defined. Moreover, f (a) = a + 1 = lim f (x), for
x→a
any a > 4. Thus, f (x) is continuous for all x > 4.

89
All rights reserved. No part of this material may be reproduced or transmitted in any form or by any means -
electronic or mechanical including photocopying – without written permission from the DepEd Central Office. First Edition, 2017.
EXAMPLE 8: Consider the function given by
1


 if x < 0,
x + 1

g(x) = x2 − x + 1 if 0 ≤ x ≥ 2,



5 if x > 2.

Solution. We have the following:

1
1. Note that for x < 0, g(x) = is undefined at x = −1. Thus, g is discontinuous on
x−1
(−∞, 0).

2. For x ∈ (0, 2), g(x) is a polynomial function, which is continuous on R. Therefore, g is

continuous on (0, 2).

3. Since g(x) = 5 is a constant function for any x > 2, g(x) is continuous for all x ∈ (2, +∞).

Supplementary Problems

1. Determine if the following functions are continuous on the interval I.

(a) f (x) = x − 1; I = [−2, 2] x4 − 1

(g) f (x) = ; I = (1, 5)
x−1
(b) f (x) = x2 − 5; I = [−5, 5] √
x4 − 1
(h) f (x) = ; I = (−2, 2)
(c) f (x) = x3 − x + 1; I = (2, +∞) x−1
√
x3 − x x − x2
(d) f (x) = ; I = (−1, 1) (i) f (x) = ; I = (0, 1)
x x2 − x
√
x3 − 3x x3 − 1
(e) f (x) = ; I = (−2, 2) (j) f (x) = ; I = (2, +∞)
x x−1
√
x2 − 4 x2 − 1
(f) f (x) = ; I = (2, 3) (k) f (x) = ; I = [−4, 4]
x−2 x−3

2. Consider 


x2 − 2x + 1 if x < −1,
 x


if − 1 ≤ x ≤ 0,

f (x) = √x+1
 x−1 if 0 < x < 1,





0 if x ≥ 1.

90
All rights reserved. No part of this material may be reproduced or transmitted in any form or by any means -
electronic or mechanical including photocopying – without written permission from the DepEd Central Office. First Edition, 2017.
 Dertermine if the following functions are continuous on the interval I.

(a) I = (−∞, −1)

(b) I = [−1, 0]
(c) I = (0, 1)
(d) I = (1, +∞)

3. Determine the largest intervals in which the following functions are continuous.

(a) f (x) = 2 − 5x − x2
x3 − 1
(b) f (x) =
x−1
√
(c) f (x) = x2 − 4

4. The graph of f (x) is given by

(−1, 4) (1, 4)

(−1, −2)
(5, −2)

(3, −4)
(−4, 5)

Determine if f is continuous on the interval I.

(a) I = (−∞, −2) (c) I = [−1, 1] (e) I = [2, +∞)

(b) I = [−2, 0) (d) I = [0, 2]

91
All rights reserved. No part of this material may be reproduced or transmitted in any form or by any means -
electronic or mechanical including photocopying – without written permission from the DepEd Central Office. First Edition, 2017.