Basic Calculus

Quarter 3 – Module 3:
Continuity and Discontinuity
of a Function
General Mathematics – SHS
Alternative Delivery Mode
Quarter 1 – Module 3: Continuity and Discontinuity of a Function
First Edition, 2020

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 Basic Calculus
Quarter 3 – Module 3:
Continuity and Discontinuity of
a Function
Introductory Message
For the facilitator:

Welcome to the Basic Calculus – SHS Alternative Delivery Mode (ADM) Module on
Continuity and Discontinuity of a Function!

This module was collaboratively designed, developed, and reviewed by educators

both from public and private institutions to assist you, the teacher, or facilitator in
helping the learners meet the standards set by the K to 12 Curriculum while
overcoming their personal, social, and economic constraints in schooling.

This learning resource hopes to engage the learners in guided and independent
learning activities at their own pace and time. Furthermore, this also aims to help
learners acquire the needed 21st-century skills while taking into consideration their
needs and circumstances.

In addition to the material in the main text, you will also see this box in the body of
the module:

Notes to the Teacher

This contains helpful tips or strategies that
will help you in guiding the learners.

As a facilitator, you are expected to orient the learners on how to use this module.
You also need to keep track of the learners' progress while allowing them to manage
their learning. Furthermore, you are expected to encourage and assist the learners
as they do the tasks included in the module.

2
For the learner:

Welcome to the General Mathematics SHS Alternative Delivery Mode (ADM) Module
on General Mathematics!

The hand is one of the most symbolized parts of the human body. It is often used to
depict skill, action, and purpose. Through our hands, we may learn, create, and
accomplish. Hence, the hand in this learning resource signifies that you as a learner
is capable and empowered to successfully achieve the relevant competencies and
skills at your own pace and time. Your academic success lies in your own hands!

This module was designed to provide you with fun and meaningful opportunities for
guided and independent learning at your own pace and time. You will be enabled to
process the contents of the learning resource while being an active learner.

This module has the following parts and corresponding icons:

What I Need to Know This will give you an idea of the skills or
competencies you are expected to learn in the
module.

What I Know This part includes an activity that aims to

check what you already know about the
lesson to take. If you get all the answers
correct (100%), you may decide to skip this
module.

What’s In This is a brief drill or review to help you link

the current lesson with the previous one.

What’s New In this portion, the new lesson will be

introduced to you in various ways such as a
story, a song, a poem, a problem opener, an
activity or a situation.

What is It This section provides a brief discussion of the

lesson. This aims to help you discover and
understand new concepts and skills.

What’s More This comprises activities for independent

practice to solidify your understanding and
skills of the topic. You may check the
answers to the exercises using the Answer
Key at the end of the module.

What I Have Learned This includes summary of what you learned

from the lesson.

What I Can Do This section provides an activity which will

help you transfer your new knowledge or skill
into real-life situations or concerns.

3
 Assessment This is a task which aims to evaluate your
level of mastery in achieving the learning
competency.

Additional Activities In this portion, another activity will be given

to you to enrich your knowledge or skill of the
lesson learned. This also tends the retention
of learned concepts.

Answer Key This contains answers to all activities in the

module.

The following are some reminders in using this module:

1. Use the module with care. Do not put unnecessary mark/s on any part of the
module. Use a separate sheet of paper in answering the exercises.
2. Don’t forget to answer What I Know before moving on to the other activities
included in the module.
3. Read the instruction carefully before doing each task.
4. Observe honesty and integrity in doing the tasks and checking your answers.
5. Finish the task at hand before proceeding to the next.
6. Return this module to your teacher/facilitator once you are through with it.
If you encounter any difficulty in answering the tasks in this module, do not hesitate
to consult your teacher or facilitator. Always bear in mind that you are not alone.

We hope that through this material, you will experience meaningful learning and
gain a deep understanding of the relevant competencies. You can do it!

4
 What I Need to Know

This module was designed and written with you in mind. It is here to help you explore
the concepts involving continuity and discontinuity of a function. The scope of this
module permits it to be used in many different learning situations. The language
used recognizes the diverse vocabulary level of students. The lessons are arranged
to follow the standard sequence of the course. But the order in which you read them
can be changed to correspond with the textbook you are now using.

The module is divided into two lessons, namely:

Lesson 1 – Continuity of a function at a number
Lesson 2 – Continuity of a function on an interval

After going through this module, you are expected to:

1. illustrate the continuity of a function at a number STEM_BC11LCIIIc-1;
2. determine whether a function is continuous at a number or not
STEM_BC11LCIIIc-2;
3. illustrate the continuity of a function on an interval STEM_BC11LCIIIc-3;
4. solve problems involving continuity of a function STEM_BC11LCIIId-3.

5
 What I Know

I. Encircle the letter that corresponds to the correct answer.

!" ! – %"&!
1. Which of the following is true about the function f(x) = "'!
?

a. It is continuous at x = 2. c. It is discontinuous at x = 2.

b. It is continuous at 0 ≤ 𝑥 ≤ 4. d. 𝑓(2) = lim 𝑓(𝑥).

"→!

2. Which of the following is a continuous function at all real numbers?

" ! – )"&*
a. 𝑓(𝑥) = √𝑥 − 3 c. 𝑓(𝑥) =
"'+
,
b. 𝑓(𝑥) = 𝑥 ! − 2 d. 𝑓(𝑥) = "!

" ! & ,-" ' !+

3. At what value of x will the function 𝑓(𝑥) = " & ,!
discontinuous?

a. −12 b. 2 c. 12 d. -24

4. Which of the following is true of the function defined below?

𝑥 ! − 1, 𝑖𝑓 𝑥 ≤ 2
𝑓(𝑥) = 3
𝑥 + 1, 𝑖𝑓 𝑥 > 2
a. lim" 𝑓(𝑥) does not exist c. lim 𝑓(𝑥) does not exist
"→! "→!

b. lim# 𝑓(𝑥) does not exist d. lim 𝑓(𝑥) = 3

"→! "→!

2𝑥 + 3, 𝑖𝑓 𝑥 ≤ −1
5. Let f be the function defined by 𝑓(𝑥) = 3 ! . Find lim 𝑓(𝑥)
2𝑥 − 1, 𝑖𝑓 𝑥 > −1 "→',

a. 1 b. −1 c. −3 d. does not exist

6
 Lesson
Continuity of a Function at
1 a Number

What’s In

Using the given functions below, answer the following items.

1. f(x) = x2 – 3

a. Evaluate f(2).

b. Find lim 𝑓(𝑥).

"→!

c. Compare the results of a and b.

" ! – ."'+
2. f(x) = "&,

a. Evaluate f(-1).

b. Find lim 𝑓(𝑥).

"→',

c. Compare the results of a and b.

7
 What’s New

" ! & !" ' *

Consider the graph of 𝑓(𝑥) = " '!
.

y
8
7
6
5
4
3
2
1
0 x
-5 -4 -3 -2 -1 -1 0 1 2 3 4 5
-2

" ! & !" ' *

What do you notice of the graph of 𝑓(𝑥) = ? It is almost similar to the
" '!
line 𝑓(𝑥) = 𝑥 + 4. However, this line has a hole at x = 2 which means that f(2) is
" ! & !" ' *
undefined. On the other hand, the lim " '!
= lim (𝑥 + 4) = 6. This situation is an
"→! "→!
example of a discontinuous function. Therefore, we can say that the function 𝑓(𝑥) =
" ! & !" ' *
" '!
is discontinuous at x = 2.

A function 𝑓(𝑥) is said to be continuous at 𝑥 = 𝑐 if all of these three conditions

are satisfied:

a. 𝑓(𝑐) exists.
b. lim 𝑓(𝑥) exists
"→/

c. lim 𝑓(𝑥) = 𝑓(𝑐)

"→/

If at least one of these conditions is not satisfied, then 𝑓(𝑥) is discontinuous

at 𝑥 = 𝑐.

8
 What is It

Let us consider the following examples.

1. Determine if 𝑓(𝑥) = 2𝑥 ! − 3 is continuous at 𝑥 = −2.

Solution:
We need to apply the definition of continuity of a function to verify if all of the
three conditions are satisfied.

a. 𝑓(−2) = 2(−2)! − 3

= 5 Hence, 𝑓(−2) exists.

b. lim (2𝑥2 − 3) = 2(−2)! − 3

"→'!

= 5 Hence, lim 𝑓(𝑥) exists.

"→'!

c. Using the results in a and b, 𝑓(−2) = lim 𝑓(−2).

"→'!

Since all three conditions are satisfied, then we can conclude that 𝑓(𝑥) = 2𝑥 ! −
3 is continuous at 𝑥 = −2.
# ! $ &# $'(
2. Determine if the function 𝑓(𝑥) = is continuous at x = 5
# $ )

Solution:
We need to apply the definition of continuity of a function to verify if all of the
three conditions are satisfied.
)! $ &()) $'( (
a. 𝑓(5) = = (
) $ )

= 𝑢𝑛𝑑𝑒𝑓𝑖𝑛𝑒𝑑 Hence, 𝑓(5) does not exist.

𝑥2 − 3𝑥 −10
b. lim
"→% 𝑥 − 5

In this case, we need to simplify the expression by factorization. This will

prevent the limit of the function to have an undefined result. Thus,
𝑥2 − 3𝑥 −10 (𝑥 – 5)(𝑥 + 2)
Lim 𝑥 – 5
= lim 𝑥 – 5
"→% "→%

= lim (𝑥 + 2) = 7 Hence, lim 𝑓(𝑥) exists.

"→% "→%

c. Using the results in a and b, 𝑓(5) ≠ lim 𝑓(𝑥).

"→%

Since conditions a and c are not satisfied, then we can conclude that 𝑓(𝑥) =
# ! $ &# $'(
is discontinuous at x = 5.
# $ )

9
 What’s More

Activity 1
Determine whether the following functions are continuous at the given value
of x. Show your solution.
1. 𝑓(𝑥) = 2𝑥 − 7

a. at x = -4

b. at x = 6

&# ! $ '(# 4 &

2. 𝑓(𝑥) = # $ &

a. at x = 3
'
b. at x = &

What I Have Learned

The function 𝑓(𝑥) is said to be continuous at 𝑥 = 𝑐 if both 𝑓(𝑐) and lim 𝑓(𝑥)
#→6

exist and 𝑓(𝑐) = lim 𝑓(𝑥). If at least one of these conditions is not satisfied, then 𝑓(𝑥)
𝑥→𝑐

is discontinuous at 𝑥 = 𝑐.

10
 What I Can Do

Determine the value of a at which the following functions are discontinuous

(
such that 𝑓(𝑎) = .
(
# ! 4 )# $'8
1. 𝑓(𝑥) = # – 9

# ! $ :
2. 𝑓(𝑥) = # 4 9

# # $ # ! $ ;# 4 ;
3. 𝑓(𝑥) = # ! $ 9

Assessment

A. Determine whether the following functions are continuous or discontinuous at

the given value of x. Show your solution.
1. 𝑓(𝑥) = 3𝑥 − 2 at 𝑥 = −4

# ! $ :# 4 <
2. 𝑓(𝑥) = # $ 8
at 𝑥 = 4

# # $ ';# 4 &(
3. 𝑓(𝑥) = # ! 4 !# $ ')
at 𝑥 = −5

B. Find the value of x at which the following are discontinuous.

!
1. 𝑓(𝑥) =
# $ &

!#4&
2. 𝑓(𝑥) =
# ! $ =#

11
 12
What I Can Do What I know
1. c
1. -7 and 2
2. b
2. ±√6
3. 9 3. a
4. d
5. a
What I Have Learned
1. lim 𝑓(𝑥) What’s In
$→)
2. hole 1. a. 1
3. discontinuous
b. 1
4. undefined
c. lim 𝑓(𝑥) = 𝑓(2)
$→&
2. a. undefined
b. -5
c. lim 𝑓(𝑥) ≠ 𝑓(−1)
$→'(
What's More
Activity 1.1 Assessment
1.
A
a. continuous
1. continuous
b. continuous
2. 2. discontinuous
a. discontinuous 3. discontinuous
b. continuous B
1. 3
2. 0 and 7
Answer Key
Lesson
Continuity of a Function on
2 an Interval

What’s In

Evaluate the following functions below using the indicated value of x.

𝑥 − 3, 𝑥 ≤ 3
1. 𝑓(𝑥) = B
𝑥 ! − 10𝑥 + 21, 𝑥 > 3
a. 𝑥 = −2

b. 𝑥 = 3

c. 𝑥 = 5

−2𝑥 + 3, 𝑥 ≤ −1
2. 𝑓(𝑥) = B 5, − 1 < 𝑥 < 2
√𝑥 − 2, 𝑥 ≥ 2
a. 𝑥 = −3

b. 𝑥 = −1
c. 𝑥 = 0

d. 𝑥 = 2

e. 𝑥 = 6

−𝑥 + 1 , 𝑥 < 1
3. 𝑓(𝑥) = |𝑥 − 1| = B
𝑥 − 1, 𝑥 ≥ 1
a. 𝑥 = −4

b. 𝑥 = 4

13
 What’s New

Let us consider the graph of the piecewise function in the previous activity as
shown below.

𝑥 + 3, 𝑥 ≤ −3
𝑓(𝑥) = B𝑥 ! + 2𝑥 − 3, −3 < 𝑥 < 2
2𝑥 + 1, 𝑥 ≥ 2

1. Find the value of 𝑓(𝑥) using the values of x below.

a. 𝑥 = −3.01
b. 𝑥 = −3
c. 𝑥 = −2.99
d. 𝑥 = 1.99
e. 𝑥 = 2
f. 𝑥 = 2.01
2. Based on the result of item 1, at what value does the ordinate approaches when
x approaches -3? What about if x approaches 2?
3. Can you say that the function is continuous? Justify your answer.

14
 What is It

Given a constant c;
When x approaches to the left of c (closer to but less than the value of
c ), then the limit value of 𝑓(𝑥) is given by lim" 𝑓(𝑥). It is called the left hand
"→/
limit at 𝑥 = 𝑐. The function 𝑓(𝑥) is said to have a left hand continuity if
lim" 𝑓(𝑥) = 𝑓(𝑐).
"→/

When x approaches to the right of c (closer to but greater than the value
of c ), then the limit value of 𝑓(𝑥) is given by lim# 𝑓(𝑥). It is called the right
"→/
hand limit at 𝑥 = 𝑐. The function 𝑓(𝑥) is said to have a right hand continuity if
lim# 𝑓(𝑥) = 𝑓(𝑐).
"→/

Let us consider again the piecewise function,

𝑥 + 3, 𝑥 ≤ −3
!
𝑓(𝑥) = B𝑥 + 2𝑥 − 3, −3 < 𝑥 < 2
2𝑥 + 1, 𝑥 ≥ 2
Example 1. Determine if the given function above is continuous at 𝑥 = −3 and
𝑥 = 2.
Solutions.

a. At 𝑥 = −3, 𝑓(𝑥) = 𝑥 + 3.
i. 𝑓(−3) = −3 + 3 = 0.
ii. Since the left hand limit of the given function at 𝑥 = − 3 is found in the interval
𝑥 ≤ −3, then the function 𝑓(𝑥) = 𝑥 + 3 is used. Thus, we have,
lim (𝑥 + 3) = −3 + 3 = 0.
"→'."

On the other hand, the right hand limit at 𝑥 = −3 is in the interval

−3 < 𝑥 < 2. So, we used the function 𝑓(𝑥) = 𝑥 ! + 2𝑥 − 3. Thus, we have,

lim (𝑥 ! + 2𝑥 − 3) = (−3)! + 2(−3) − 3 = 0

"→'.#

The left hand and right hand limits are equal at 𝑥 = −3. Thus, lim 𝑓(𝑥) exists.
"→'.

iii. Using the result in a and b, lim 𝑓(𝑥) = 𝑓(−3).

"→'.

Therefore, 𝑓(𝑥) is continuous at 𝑥 = −3 since conditions ii and iii are satisfied.

15
b. At 𝑥 = 2, 𝑓(𝑥) = 2𝑥 + 1.

i. 𝑓(2) = 2(2) + 1 = 5.
ii. Since the left hand limit of the given function at 𝑥 = 2 is found in the interval
−3 < 𝑥 < 2, then the function 𝑓(𝑥) = 𝑥 ! + 2𝑥 − 3 is used. Thus, we have,

lim (𝑥 ! + 2𝑥 − 3 ) = 2! + 2(3) − 3 = 5.
"→!"

On the other hand, the right hand limit at 𝑥 = 2 is in the interval 𝑥 ≥ 2. So,
we used the function 𝑓(𝑥) = 2𝑥 + 1. Thus, we have,
lim (2𝑥 + 1 ) = 2(2) + 1 = 5.
"→!#

The left hand and right hand limits are equal at x = 2. Thus, lim 𝑓(𝑥) exists.
"→!

iii. Using the result in a and b, lim 𝑓(𝑥) = 𝑓(2).

"→!

Therefore, 𝑓(𝑥) is continuous at 𝑥 = 2 since conditions ii and iii are satisfied.

𝑥 ! + 1, 𝑥 ≤ 2
Example 2. Determine if the function 𝑓(𝑥) = 3 is continuous at
√𝑥 − 2, 𝑥 > 2
𝑥 = 2.
Solution.

At 𝑥 = 2, 𝑓(𝑥) = 𝑥 ! + 1.

i. 𝑓(2) = 2! + 1 = 5.

ii. Since the left hand limit of the given function at 𝑥 = 2 is found in the interval
𝑥 ≤ 2, then the function 𝑓(𝑥) = 𝑥 ! + 1 is used. Thus, we have,

lim ( 𝑥 ! + 1 ) = 2! + 1 = 5.
"→!"

On the other hand, the right hand limit at 𝑥 = 2 is in the interval 𝑥 > 2. So,
we used the function 𝑓(𝑥) = √𝑥 − 2. Thus, we have,

lim (√𝑥 − 2) = √2 − 2 = 0
"→!#

The left hand and right hand limits are not equal at 𝑥 = 2. Thus, lim 𝑓(𝑥) does
"→!
not exist.

iii. Using the result in a and b, lim 𝑓(𝑥) ≠ 𝑓(2).

"→!

Therefore, 𝑓(𝑥) is discontinuous at 𝑥 = 2 since conditions ii and iii are not

satisfied.

16
 What’s More

Activity 1
2𝑥 − 4, 𝑥 ≤ 3
Given that the piecewise function is defined by 𝑓(𝑥) = 3 .
√𝑥 + 1, 𝑥 > 3
Answer the following items.

1. What is 𝑓(𝑥) at 𝑥 = 3?

2. Evaluate 𝑓(3).

3. Find lim" 𝑓(𝑥).

"→.

4. Find lim# 𝑓(𝑥).

"→.

5. Does lim 𝑓(𝑥) exist? Justify your answer.

"→.

6. Is the given function continuous at 𝑥 = 3? Justify your answer.

What I Have Learned

The function 𝑓(𝑥) is said to have a left hand limit at 𝑥 = 𝑐 if and only if
lim 𝑓(𝑥) = 𝑓(𝑐) while it is said to have a right hand limit at 𝑥 = 𝑐 if and only if
#→6 $

lim 𝑓(𝑥) = 𝑓(𝑐).

#→6 %

If the right hand limit and the left hand limit of 𝑓(𝑥) are equal, then lim 𝑓(𝑥)
#→6

exists; otherwise, it does not exist. The function 𝑓(𝑥) is said to be continuous on a
specified interval at 𝑥 = 𝑐 if and only if lim 𝑓(𝑥) = 𝑓(𝑐).
#→6

17
 What I Can Do

Determine the value/s of 𝑐 at which the function defined by

2𝑥 − 𝑐, 𝑥 ≤ 2
𝑓(𝑥) = 3 is continuous at 𝑥 = 2. Show your solution.
√𝑥 ! − 𝑐, 𝑥 > 2

Assessment

A. State whether the following functions is continuous or discontinuous at the

specified value of x. Show your complete solution for each item.
𝑥 + 2, 𝑥 ≤ −1
1. 𝑓(𝑥) = 4 at 𝑥 = −1
𝑥2 , 𝑥 > −1

−2𝑥 + 5, 𝑥 ≤ 4
2. 𝑓(𝑥) = 4 at 𝑥 = 4
𝑥2 − 3𝑥 − 1, 𝑥 > 4

2x, x < 3
!
3. 𝑓(𝑥) = G2 − x − 8, x = 3
x at 𝑥 = 3
√x . + 9, x > 3

18
 19
What I Can Do What’s In
c = 3, 4 1.
a. -5
b. 0
c. -4
2.
a. 9
What I Have Learned
b. 5
1. lim! 𝑓(𝑥) = 𝑓(𝑐)
$→)
c. 5
2. lim" 𝑓(𝑥) = 𝑓(𝑐)
$→)
d. 0
3. exists
e. 2
4. does not exist
3.
5. lim 𝑓(𝑥)
$→) a. 5
b. 3
What's More
Activity 1.1
1. 𝑓(𝑥) = 2𝑥 − 4
2. 2 Assessment
3. 2
4. 2 1. continuous
5. Yes. lim! 𝑓(𝑥) = lim" 𝑓(𝑥)
$→* $→*
2. discontinuous
6. Yes. lim 𝑓(𝑥) = 𝑓(3) 3. discontinuous
$→*
Answer Key
References

Alegre, H. (2016). Basic Calculus for Senior High School. Anvil Publishing, Inc.

Love and Rainville (1981). Differential and Integral Calculus. Macmillan

Publishing Co, Inc.

20
For inquiries or feedback, please write or call:

Department of Education – Region XI Davao City Division

DepEd Davao City, Elpidio Quirino Ave., Davao City

Telefax: 224-3274

Email Address: [Link]@[Link]