How to Classify Discontinuities

Quick Overview
• On graphs, the open and closed circles, or vertical asymptotes drawn as
dashed lines help us identify discontinuities.
• As before, graphs and tables allow us to estimate at best.
• When working with formulas, getting zero in the denominator indicates a
point of discontinuity.
• When working with piecewise-defined functions, check for discontinuities
at the transition points where one piece ends and the next begins.

Example 1
Using the graph shown below, identify and classify each point of discontinu-
ity.
y
7

1
x
-7 -6 -5 -4 -3 -2 -1 1 2 3 4 5 6 7
-1

-2
[Link]

-3

-4

-5

-6

-7

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Solution
The table below lists the location (x-value) of each discontinuity, and the
type of discontinuity.
x Type
−7 Mixed
−3 Removable
2 Jump
4 Infinite
6 Endpoint

Note that the discontinuity at x = −7 is both removable (the function value

is different from the one-sided limit value) and an endpoint (since the graph is
not defined to the left of x = −7).

Example 2
Using the tables below, what type of discontinuity seems to exist at x = 5?

x f (x) x f (x)
4.9 8.15 5.1 2.4
4.99 8.015 5.01 2.43
4.999 8.0015 5.001 2.403
4.9999 8.00015 5.0001 2.4003
4.99999 8.000015 5.00001 2.40003

Solution
Step 1) Examine the one-sided limits.
The table on the left tells us lim− f (x) ≈ 8.
x→5

The table on the right tells us lim+ f (x) ≈ 2.4.

x→5

Answer: The tables lead us to believe the one-sided limits are different, so we
conclude the function likely has a jump discontinuity at x = 5.

Example 3
Is the function below continuous at its transition point? If not, identify the
type of discontinuity occurring there.

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 x2 ,

x≤1
f (x) =
x + 3, x>1

Solution
Step 1) Identify the transition point(s).
The transition point is at x = 1 since this is where the function transitions
from one formula to the next.

Step 2) Determine the left-hand limit at the transition point.

lim f (x) = lim− x2 = 12 = 1

x→1− x→1

Step 3) Determine the right-hand limit at the transition point.

lim f (x) = lim+ (x + 3) = 1 + 3 = 4

x→1+ x→1

Answer Since the one-sided limits are different, the function has a jump dis-
continuity at x = 1.

Example 4
Is the function below continuous at x = 4? If not, identify the type of
discontinuity occurring there.
 √
 x, 0≤x<4
f (x) = 5, x=4
6 − x, x > 4


Solution
Step 1) Examine the left-hand limit.
√ √
lim f (x) = lim x= 4=2
x→4− x→4−

Step 2) Examine the right-hand limit.

lim f (x) = lim+ (6 − x) = 6 − 4 = 2

x→4+ x→4

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Step 3) Determine the function value.

f (4) = 5

Answer: The limit exists, and the function exists, but they have different
values. The function has a removable discontinuity at x = 4.

Example 5
Without graphing, determine the type of discontinuity the function below
has at x = 3.

x2 + 2x − 15
f (x) =
x2 − 2x − 3

Solution
Step 1) Evaluate f (3).

(3)2 + 2(3) − 15 9 + 6 − 15 0
f (3) = = =
(3)2 − 2(3) − 3 9−6−3 0
The function is undefined at x = 3, so there is a discontinuity at this point.
To determine the type, we will need to evaluate the limit as x approaches 3.

Step 2) Since the function has a 00 form at x = 3, we need to find and divide
out the common factors in the numerator and denominator.

x2 + 2x − 15 (x + 5)(x − 3) x+5
2
= =
x − 2x − 3 (x − 3)(x + 1) x+1

Step 3) Evaluate the limit of the simpler function as x approaches 3.

x+5 3+5 8
lim = = =2
x→3 x + 1 3+1 4

Answer: Since the limit exists, but the function value does not, we know the
function has is a removable discontinuity at x = 3.

Example 6

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 Without graphing, determine the type of discontinuity the function below
has at x = −1.

x2 + 2x − 15
f (x) =
x2 − 2x − 3

Solution
Step 1) Evaluate f (−1).

(−1)2 + 2(−1) − 15 1 − 2 − 15 −16

f (−1) = = =
(−1)2 − 2(−1) − 3 1+2−3 0
Since we have division by zero, the function doesn’t exist at x = −1. But,
n
the 0 form tells us the function is becoming infinitely large as x approaches −1.

Note: In order to determine if the limit is infinite, we would need to know

which direction the function is going as x approached −1. But for the purposes of
classifying the discontinuity, it’s enough to know the function becomes infinitely
large.

Answer: The function has an infinite discontinuity at x = −1.

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Questions
y
5

1
x
-5 -4 -3 -2 -1 1 2 3 4 5

[Link]
-1

-2

-3

-4

-5

Graph for Questions 1-3

Question 1 Classify the discontinuity at x = −4 in the graph above.

Question 2 Classify the discontinuity at x = −1 in the graph above.
Question 3 Classify the discontinuity at x = 2 in the graph above.
y
5

1
x
-5 -4 -3 -2 -1 1 2 3 4 5
[Link]

-1

-2

-3

-4

-5

Graph for Questions 4-6

Question 4 Classify the discontinuity at x = −3 in the graph above.

Question 5 Classify the discontinuity at x = 1 in the graph above.
Question 6 Classify the discontinuity at x = 5 in the graph above.

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Question 7 Use the tables below to classify the discontinuity in the function
at x = 8.

x f (x) x f (x)
7.9 1.36 8.1 4
7.99 1.306 8.01 4.9
7.999 1.3006 8.001 4.95
7.9999 1.30006 8.0001 4.995
7.99999 1.300006 8.00001 4.9995

Question 8 Suppose f (−6) = 5.9. Use the tables below to classify the discon-
tinuity in the function at x = −6.

x f (x) x f (x)
−6.5 5.8 −5.9 −2.1
−6.05 5.89 −5.99 −2.01
−6.005 5.899 −5.999 −2.001
−6.0005 5.8999 −5.9999 −2.0001
−6.00005 5.89999 −5.99999 −2.00001

Question 9 Suppose f (9) is undefined. Use the tables below to classify the
discontinuity in the function at there.

x f (x) x f (x)
8.9 24.3 9.1 24.6
8.99 24.03 9.01 24.06
8.999 24.003 9.001 24.006
8.9999 24.0003 9.0001 24.0006
8.99999 24.00003 9.00001 24.00006

Question 10 Suppose f (1/2) = 4. Use the tables below to classify the discon-
tinuity in the function at there.

x f (x) x f (x)
0.40 6.9 0.6 7.25
0.49 6.99 0.55 7.025
0.499 6.999 0.505 7.0025
0.4999 6.9999 0.5005 7.00025
0.49999 6.99999 0.50005 7.000025

Question 11 Classify the discontinuity in f (x) at x = 11.


3x + 1, x ≤ 11
f (x) =
4x − 2, x > 11

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 Question 12 Is the function continuous at x = −2? If not, classify the type
of discontinuity there.
 √
x + 6, x ≤ −2
f (x) =
−x2 , x > −2

Question 13 Classify the discontinuity in f (x) at x = 3.


|x|, x<3
f (x) =
4x + 2, x>3

Question 14 Is the function continuous at x = 0? If not, classify the type

of discontinuity there.
 1/3
x , x<0
f (x) =
x1/2 , x > 0

Question 15 Classify the discontinuity in f (x) at x = 4.


 sin π8 x ,


x<4
f (x) = 2, x=4
cos(x − 4), x > 4


Question 16 Is the function continuous at x = 1? If not, classify the type

of discontinuity there.
 x−1
 e , x<1
f (x) = 0, x=1
− cos (πx) , x>1


Question 17 Classify the discontinuity in f (x) at x = 1.

1
(
x−1 , x<1
f (x) = 1
x2 −2x+1 , x>1

Question 18 Is the function continuous at x = 0? If not, classify the type

of discontinuity there.
(
cot x, x < 0
f (x) =
ln x, x > 0

Question 19 Is the function continuous at x = 4? If not, classify the type

of discontinuity there.

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 (
x + 3, x<4
f (x) =
2
x − 9, x≥4

Question 20 Is the function continuous at x = −1? If not, classify the type

of discontinuity there.
(
2x + 5, x < −1
f (x) =
2 − x, x ≥ −1

Question 21 Determine where the function is discontinuous, and classify

the discontinuities.

x2 + 5x − 6
f (x) =
x+6

Question 22 What type of discontinuity is does the function exhibit at

x = 0?
sin 4x
f (x) =
2x2 + 5x

Question 23 Determine where the function is discontinuous, and classify

the discontinuities.
2x − 3
f (x) =
x+7

Question 24 Determine where the function is discontinuous for 0 ≤ x ≤ π2 ,

and classify the discontinuities.

x2 + 9x
f (x) =
1 − cos 3x

Question 25 Determine where the function is discontinuous, and classify

the discontinuities.
√
x
f (x) = 2
x +1

Question 26 Determine where the function is discontinuous, and classify

the discontinuities.

|x + 2|, 0≤x<4
f (x) =
6 − (x − 4)2 , 4 ≤ x < 8

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Answers
Question 1 Solution
Step 1) Examine the one-sided limits.
y
5
• As x → −4 from the left, we 4

can see the function is heading 3

2
downward. The arrow tells us the
1
function is going to continue going x
downward infinitely. -5 -4 -3 -2 -1 1 2 3 4 5
-1
• As x → −4 from the right, the -2

same thing is happening, but in -3

the positive direction. -4

-5
[Link]

Answer: The function appears to have an infinite discontinuity at x = −4.

Question 2 Solution
Step 1) Examine the one-sided limits.
y
• As x → −1 from the left, we 5
4
can see the function is heading to
3
roughly y = 21 .
2
• As x → −1 from the right, the 1
x
same thing is happening. The
-5 -4 -3 -2 -1 1 2 3 4 5
function appears to be headed to- -1

wards y = 12 . -2
-3
• At x = −1 the function is defined -4
and has a value of f (−1) = 2. -5
[Link]

Answer: The function has a removable discontinuity at x = −1.

Question 3 Solution
Step 1) Examine the one-sided limits.

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 y
5
• As x → 2 from the left, we can see 4
the function is heading to roughly 3
y = 3.5. 2
1
• As x → 2 from the right, the func- x

tion appears to be headed towards -5 -4 -3 -2 -1

-1
1 2 3 4 5

y = 1. -2
-3
• At x = 2 the function is unde- -4
fined. -5
[Link]

Answer: The function appears to have a jump discontinuity at x = 2.

Question 4 Solution
Step 1) Examine the one-sided limits.
y
5
• As x → −3 from the left, we can
4
see the function seems to be head-
3
ing to y = 1.
2

• As x → −3 from the right, the 1

x
same thing is happening. The -5 -4 -3 -2 -1 1 2 3 4 5
-1
function appears to be headed to-
-2
wards y = 1.
-3
• At x = −3 the function is unde- -4

fined. -5
[Link]

Answer The function appears to have a removable discontinuity at x = −3.

Question 5 Solution
Step 1) Examine the one-sided limits.

© [Link]
 y
5

• As x → 1 from the left, we can see 4

3
the function seems to be heading
2
to y = 1.
1
x
• As x → 1 from the right, the func-
-5 -4 -3 -2 -1 1 2 3 4 5
tion grows infinitely large. -1
-2
• At x = 1 the function has a value -3
of f (1) = 1. -4
-5
[Link]

Answer The function appears to have a mixed discontinuity at x = 1.

Question 6 Solution
Step 1) Examine the one-sided limits.
y
5
4

• As x → 5 from the left, we can see 3

2
the function seems to be heading
1
to about y = 12 . x
-5 -4 -3 -2 -1 1 2 3 4 5
• According to the graph, the func- -1

tion is not defined to the right of -2

-3
x = 5.
-4
-5
[Link]

Answer The function appears to have an endpoint discontinuity at x = 5.

Question 7 Solution
Step 1) Examine the one-sided limits (see tables below).
From the left: As x → 8− , the left-hand table implies the function is ap-
proaching 1.3.
From the right: As x → 8+ , the right-hand table implies the function is
approaching 5.

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Answer Since the two one-sided limits appear to be different, we conclude the
function likely has a jump discontinuity at x = 8.

x f (x) x f (x)
7.9 1.36 8.1 4
7.99 1.306 8.01 4.9
7.999 1.3006 8.001 4.95
7.9999 1.30006 8.0001 4.995
7.99999 1.300006 8.00001 4.9995

Question 8 Solution
Step 1) Examine the one-sided limits (see tables below).
From the left: As x → −6− , the table on the left implies f (x) is approaching
5.9.
From the right: As x → −6+ , the table on the right implies f (x) is ap-
proaching −2.

Answer The tables imply the one-sided limits have different values. So we
conclude there is likely a jump discontinuity at x = −6.

x f (x) x f (x)
−6.5 5.8 −5.9 −2.1
−6.05 5.89 −5.99 −2.01
−6.005 5.899 −5.999 −2.001
−6.0005 5.8999 −5.9999 −2.0001
−6.00005 5.89999 −5.99999 −2.00001

Question 9 Solution
Step 1) Examine the one-sided limits (see tables below).
Left-hand limit: As x approaches 9 from the left, the tables imply f (x) is
approaching 24.
Right-hand limit: As x approaches 9 from the right, the tables imply f (x)
approaches 24.

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Answer The tables imply the limit exists as x approaches 9, however the func-
tion is undefined there. We conclude the function likely has a removable dis-
continuity at x = 9.

x f (x) x f (x)
8.9 24.3 9.1 24.6
8.99 24.03 9.01 24.06
8.999 24.003 9.001 24.006
8.9999 24.0003 9.0001 24.0006
8.99999 24.00003 9.00001 24.00006

Question 10 Solution
Step 1) Use the tables to examine the one-sided limits.
1
Left-hand limit: As x approaches 2 from the left, the tables imply f (x) ap-
proaches 7.
1
Right-hand limit: As x approaches 2 from the right, the tables imply f (x)
approaches 7.

Answer The tables imply the limit exists and is equal to 7, but we know the
function value is f (1/2) = 4. Since the limit and the function have different
values, we conclude the function has a removable discontinuity at x = 12 .

x f (x) x f (x)
0.40 6.9 0.6 7.25
0.49 6.99 0.55 7.025
0.499 6.999 0.505 7.0025
0.4999 6.9999 0.5005 7.00025
0.49999 6.99999 0.50005 7.000025

Question 11 Solution
Step 1) Examine the limit from the left.

lim f (x) = lim (3x + 1) = 3(11) + 1 = 34

x→11− x→11−

Step 2) Examine the limit from the right.

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 lim f (x) = lim + (4x − 2) = 4(11) − 2 = 44 − 2 = 42
x→11+ x→11

Answer The function has a jump discontinuity at x = 11.

Question 12
Step 1) Examine the left-hand limit.
√ √ √
lim − f (x) = lim − x + 6 = −2 + 6 = 4 = 2
x→−2 x→−2

Step 2) Examine the right-hand limit.

lim f (x) = lim −x2 = −(−2)2 = −4

x→−2+ x→−2+

Answer The one-sided limits are different, so the function has a jump discon-
tinuity at x = −2.

Question 13 Solution
Step 1) Examine the limit from the left.

lim f (x) = lim− |x| = |3| = 3

x→3− x→3

Step 2) Examine the limit from the right.

lim f (x) = lim− (4x + 2) = 4(3) + 2 = 12 + 2 = 14

x→3− x→3

Answer Since the one-sided limits are different, the function has a jump dis-
continuity at x = 3.

Question 14 Solution
Step 1) Examine the one-sided limits.

© [Link]
 lim f (x) = lim x1/3 = 01/3 = 0
x→0− x→0−

lim f (x) = lim+ x1/2 = 01/2 = 0

x→0+ x→0

Step 2) Examine the function value at x = 0.

f (0) is undefined.

Answer The one-sided limits are the same, so the limit exists. But since the
function is undefined, it has a removable discontinuity at x = 0.

Question 15 Solution
Step 1) Examine the one-sided limits.

π  π
lim f (x) = lim sin x = sin = 1
x→4− x→4− 8 2
lim f (x) = lim+ cos(x − 4) = cos(4 − 4) = cos 0 = 1
x→4+ x→4

Answer The limit value is 1, but the function value is 2. Since the limit and
the function have different values, the function has a removable discontinuity at
x = 4.

Question 16 Solution
Step 1) Examine the one-sided limits.

lim f (x) = lim− ex−1 = e1−1 = e0 = 1

x→1− x→1

lim f (x) = lim− − cos(πx) = − cos π = −(−1) = 1

x→1− x→1

Answer The limit value is 1, but the function value is f (1) = 0. Since the limit
and function values are different, there is a removable discontinuity at x = 1.

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Question 17 Solution
Step 1) Examine the limit from the left.
• The limit has the form of lim− f (x) = 10 .
x→1

The limit from the left is infinite.

Step 2) Examine the limit from the right.

• The limit has the form of lim f (x) = 10 .
x→1+

The limit from the right is infinite.

Answer Since both one-sided limits are infinite, the function has an infinite
discontinuity at x = 1.

Question 18 Solution
Step 1) Examine the limit from the left.

lim f (x) = lim− cot x

x→0− x→0

cos x
= lim−
x→0 sin x
cos 0
=
sin 0
1
=
0
This tells us lim− f (x) is infinite.
x→0

Step 2) Examine the limit from the right.

lim f (x) = lim+ ln x = −∞

x→0+ x→0

Answer Since both one-sided limits are infinite, the function has an infinite
discontinuity at x = 0.

Question 19

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Step 1) Examine the one-sided limits.
lim f (x) lim− (x + 3) = 4 + 3 = 7
x→4− x→4

lim f (x) lim+ (x2 − 9) = (4)2 − 9 = 7

x→4+ x→4

Step 2) Determine f (4).

f (4) = 42 − 9 = 7

Answer Since the limit value and function value are the same, the function is
continuous at x = 4.

Question 20 Solution
Step 1) Examine the one-sided limits.
lim f (x) = lim (2x + 5) = 2(−1) + 5 = 3
x→−1− x→−1−

lim f (x) = lim (2 − x) = 2 − (−1) = 3

x→−1+ x→−1+

Step 2) Examine the function value at x = −1.

f (−1) = 2 − (−1) = 3

Answer Since the limit values and function value are the same, the function is
continuous at x = −1.

Question 21 Solution
Step 1) Examine the function for places where it will be undefined. This is
similar to finding the domain of the function.
Since the function is rational, it will be undefined where the denominator is
zero. In this case, at x = −6.

Step 2) Determine the form of the limit as x approaches −6.

(−6)2 + 5(−6) − 6 36 − 30 − 6 0
lim f (x) = = =
x→−6 (−6) + 6 −6 + 6 0

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 With the 00 form this function either has a removable discontinuity (if the
limit exists) or an infinite discontinuity (if the one-sided limits are infinite) at
−6.

Step 3) Find and divide out any common factors.

x2 + 5x − 6 (x + 6)(x − 1)
= =x−1
x+6 x+6

Step 4) Evaluate the limit of this simpler function.

lim (x − 1) = −6 − 1 = −7
x→−6

Answer Since the limit at x = −6 exists, but the function does not, the function
has a removable discontinuity there.

Question 22 Solution
Step 1) Determine f (0).
sin 0 0
f (0) = =
2(0)2 + 5(0) 0

This tells us the function is undefined at x = 0.

Step 2) Determine whether or not the limit exists at x = 0.

Examine the limit as x approaches 0.
sin 0 0
lim f (x) = 2
=
x→0 2(0) + 5(0) 0

With this form, we know the limit might exist. Using the techniques from
earlier lessons (see Indeterminate Limits—Sine Forms), we evaluate the
limit as follows:

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 sin 4x
lim f (x) = lim
x→0 x→0 2x2 + 5x
sin 4x
= lim
x→0 x(2x + 5)
sin 4x 1
= lim ·
x→0 x 2x + 5
4 sin 4x 1
= lim · ·
x→0 4 x 2x + 5
4 sin 4x 1
= lim · ·
x→0 1 4x 2x + 5
sin 4x 1
= 4 · lim ·
x→0 4x 2x + 5
1
=4·1·
2(0) + 5
4
=
5

Answer At x = 0, the limit exists, but the function does not. This means the
function has a removable discontinuity at x = 0.

Question 23 Solution
Step 1) Identify the points where the function is undefined.
This function is undefined at x = −7.

Step 2) Examine the form of the limit at x = −7.

2(−7) − 3 −17
lim f (x) = =
x→−7 0 0

n
Answer: The 0 form indicates the function has an infinite discontinuity at
x = −7.

Question 24 Solution

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Step 1) Determine where the function is undefined.
Since we are restricted to 0 ≤ x ≤ π2 , we can determine that the denominator
is equal to 0 only when

1 − cos 3x = 0
cos 3x = 1
3x = 0
x=0

2nπ
(The denominator is also equal to zero when x = 3 for integer values of
n, but these are outside the bounds set for x.)

Step 2) Determine the form of the limit from the right at x = 0 (note that the
limit from the left doesn’t exist since that is outside the bounds allowed for x).

(0)2 + 9(0) 0
lim+ f (x) = =
x→0 1 − cos 0 0

Step 3) Use the techniques covered in previous lessons to evaluate the indeter-
minate limit (see Indeterminate Limits—Cosine Forms).

x2 + 9x x(x + 9)
lim+ = lim
x→0 1 − cos 3x x→0+ 1 − cos x3x
x x+9
= lim+ ·
x→0 1 − cos 3x 1
3 x x+9
= lim+ · ·
x→0 3 1 − cos 3x 1
1 3x x+9
= lim+ · ·
x→0 3 1 − cos 3x 1
3x x+9
= lim+ ·
x→0 1 − cos 3x 3
3x x+9
= lim+ ·
x→0 1 − cos 3x 3
1 0+9
= ·
0 3
9
=
0
1−cos θ
(Since limθ→0 θ = 0 = 01 , we know limθ→0 θ
1−cos θ = 10 )

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Answer The limit has an infinite discontinuity at x = 0.

Question 25 Solution
Step 1) What is the domain of the function?
The function is defined at all x ≥ 0.

Step 2) Determine the limit as x approaches 0 from the right.

√ √
x 0
lim 2 = =0
x→0+ x + 1 1

Step 3) Determine the value of f (0).

√
0
f (0) = =0
0+1

Answer At x = 0, the limit from the right exists and is equal to the function
value. Consequently, the function has an endpoint discontinuity at x = 0. We
could also say the function is continuous from the right.

Question 26 Solution
Step 1) At x = 0
• f (0) = |0 + 2| = 2

• lim+ f (x) = |0 + 2| = 2
x→0

Since the function and the limit value are the same, the function has an
end-point discontinuity at x = 0.

Step 2) At x = 8.

• lim− f (x) = 6 − (8 − 4)2 = 6 − 16 = −10

x→8

Since the limit exists at x = 8 we could call this a removable discontinuity

which, if fixed, would still be an endpoint discontinuity.

Step 3) At x = 4.

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 • limx→4− f (x) = |4 + 2| = 6
• limx→4+ f (x) = 6 − (4 − 4)2 = 6
• f (4) = 6 − (4 − 4)2 = 6.

Since f (4) = lim f (x), we know the function is continuous at x = 4.

x→4

Answer The function has endpoint discontinuities at x = 0 and x = 8.

Next Lesson: The Extreme Value Theorem

Previous Lesson: Types of Discontinuities

Author: HT Goodwill
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