LESSON 4: More on Continuity

LEARNING OUTCOMES: At the end of the lesson, the learner shall be able to:

1. Illustrate different types of discontinuity (hole/removable, jump/essential, asymptotic/infinite);

2. Illustrate the Intermediate Value and Extreme Value Theorems; and
3. Solve problems involving the continuity of a function.

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 TOPIC 4.1: Different Types of Discontinuities
In Topics 1.2, it was emphasized that the value of lim f (x) may be distinct from the value of
x→c
the function itself at x = c. Recall that a limit may be evaluated at values which are not in the
domain of f (x).

In Topics 3.7 - 3.8, we learned that when lim f (x) and f (c) are equal, f (x) is said to be
x→c
continuous at c. Otherwise, it is said to be discontinuous at c. We will revisit the instances
when lim f (x) and f (c) have unequal or different values. These instances of inequality and,
x→c
therefore, discontinuity are very interesting to study. This section focuses on these instances.

Consider the functions g(x), h(x) and j(x) where


2
 3x − 4x + 1

if x 6= 1,
g(x) = x−1
1

if x = 1.


x + 1 if x < 4,
h(x) =
(x − 4)2 + 3 if x ≥ 4.

and

1
j(x) = , x 6= 0.
x

We examine these for continuity at the respective values 1, 4, and 0.

1. lim g(x) = 2 but g(1) = 1.

x→1

2. lim h(x) DNE but h(4) = 3.

x→4

3. lim j(x) DNE and f (0) DNE.

x→0

All of the functions are discontinuous at the given values. A closer study shows that they
actually exhibit different types of discontinuity.

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REMOVABLE DISCONTINUITY

A function f (x) is said to have a removable discontinuity at x = c if

1. lim f (x) exists; and

x→c

2. either f (c) does not exist or f (c) 6= lim f (x).

x→c

It is said to be removable because the discontinuity may be removed by redefining f (c) so that
it will equal lim f (x). In other words, if lim f (x) = L, a removable discontinuity is remedied
x→c x→c
by the redefinition:

Let f (c) = L.

Recall g(x) above and how it is discontinuous at 1. In this case, g(1) exists. Its graph is as
follows:

4
y = g(x)

0 1 2 3

−1

The discontinuity of g at the point x = 1 is manifested by the hole in the graph of y = g(x) at
the point (1, 2). This is due to the fact that g(1) is equal to 1 and not 2, while lim g(x) = 2.
x→1
We now demonstrate how this kind of a discontinuiy may be removed:

Let g(1) = 2.

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 This is called a redefinition of g at x = 1. The redefinition results in a “transfer” of the point
(1, 1) to the hole at (1, 2). In effect, the hole is filled and the discontinuity is removed! This is
why the discontinuity is called a removable one. This is also why, sometimes, it is called a hole
discontinuity.

We go back to the graph of g(x) and see how redefining f (1) to be 2 removes the discontinuity:

4
y = g(x)
redefined
3

0 1 2 3

−1

and revises the function to its continuous counterpart,


g(x) if x 6= 1,
G(x) =
2 if x = 1.

ESSENTIAL DISCONTINUITY

A function f (x) is said to have an essential discontinuity at x = c if lim f (x) DNE.

x→c

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Case 1. If for a function f (x), lim f (x) DNE because the limits from the left and right of x = c
x→c
both exist but are not equal, that is,

lim f (x) = L and lim f (x) = M, where L 6= M,

x→c− x→c+

then f is said to have a jump essential discontinuity at x = c.

Recall the function h(x) where


x + 1 if x < 4,
h(x) =
(x − 4)2 + 3 if x ≥ 4.

Its graph is as follows:

y = h(x)
7

6
(4, 5)
5

3
(4, 3)
2

0 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 x

From Lesson 2, we know that lim h(x) DNE because

x→4

lim h(x) = 5 and lim h(x) = 3.

x→4− x→4+

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 The graph confirms that the discontinuity of h(x) at x = 4 is certainly not removable. See,
the discontinuity is not just a matter of having one point missing from the graph and putting
it in; if ever, it is a matter of having a part of the graph entirely out of place. If we force to
remove this kind of discontinuity, we need to connect the two parts by a vertical line from (4, 5)
to (4, 3). However, the resulting graph will fail the Vertical Line Test and will not be a graph
of a function anymore. Hence, this case has no remedy. From the graph, it is clear why this
essential discontinuity is also called a jump discontinuity.

Case 2. If a function f (x) is such that lim f (x) DNE because either
x→c

(i) lim f (x) = +∞, or (iii) lim f (x) = +∞, or

x→c− x→c+

(ii) lim f (x) = −∞, or (iv) lim f (x) = −∞,

x→c− x→c+

then f (x) is said to have an infinite discontinuity at x = c.

1
Recall j(x) = , x 6= 0, as mentioned earlier. Its graph is as follows:
x

3 1
j(x) =
x
2

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

-1

-2

-3

-4

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We have seen from Topics 2.5 and 2.6 that
1 1
lim = −∞ and lim = +∞.
x→0− x x→0+ x
Because the limits are infinite, the limits from both the left and the right of x = 0 do not exist,
and the discontinuity cannot be removed. Also, the absence of a left-hand (or right-hand) limit
from which to “jump” to the other part of the graph means the discontinuity is permanent. As
the graph indicates, the two ends of the function that approach x = 0 continuously move away
from each other: one end goes upward without bound, the other end goes downward without
bound. This translates to an asymptotic behavior as x-values approach 0; in fact, we say that
x = 0 is a vertical asymptote of f (x). Thus, this discontinuity is called an infinite essential
discontinuity.

FLOWCHART. Here is a flowchart which can help evaluate whether a function is continuous
or not at a point c. Before using this, make sure that the function is defined on an open interval
containing c, except possibly at c.

Does lim f (x) exist?

x→c

Yes No

Is lim f (x) = f (c)? Do the one-sided limits

x→c
exist but are unequal?

Yes No No Yes

f is continuous at c. f has a removable f has an infinite f has a jump

discontinuity at c. essential discontinuity. essential discontinuity.

Solved Examples
(
x2 − 1 , x 6= 0,
EXAMPLE 1: Consider g(x) =
0 , x = 0.
Determine if g is continuous at x = 0.

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 Solution. The graph of g is given by:

y = x2 − 1

(0, 0) x

(0, −1)

1. g(0) = 0 exists; 3. g(0) = 0 6= −1 = lim g(x).

x→0

2. lim g(x) = −1;

x→0

Thus, g(x) has a removable discontinuity at x = 0.

To remove the discontinuity, redefine g(0) = −1. We now have the new graph of g(x).

y = x2 − 1

(0, −1)

Therefore, g(0) = −1 = lim g(x) and hence, g(x) is now continuous at x = 0. .

x→0

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 (
x3 + 1 , x 6= 0,
EXAMPLE 2: Given the function h(x) = Determine if h is continuous
−1 , x = 0.
at x = 0. The graph of h is given by:
y

y = x3 + 1

(0, 1)

(0, −1)

Solution. Note that h(0) = −1. Now, evaluating lim h(x) = 1. Since, h(0) = −1 6= 1 =
x→0
lim h(x), therefore, h(x) has a removable discontinuity at x = 0.
x→0

To remove the discontinuity, redefine h(0) = 1. We now have the new graph of h(x).

y = x3 + 1

(0, 1)

100
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 Now, h(0) = 1 = lim h(x) and therefore, h(x) is now continuous at x = 0.
x→0

3x2 − 4x + 1
EXAMPLE 3: Determine if h(x) = is continuous at x = 1.
x−1

2
3x2 − 4x + 1
h(x) =
x−1
1

0 1 2 3

−1

−2

Solution. Note that h(1) is undefined but

3x2 − 4x + 1 (3x − 1)(x − 1)
lim h(x) = lim = lim = lim (3x − 1) = 2.
x→1 x→1 x−1 x→1 x−1 x→1

Thus, h(x) has a removable discontinuity at x = 1. We remove this discontinuity by redefining

h(1) = 2 and therefore have the following graph.

2
3x2 − 4x + 1
h(x) =
x−1
1

0 1 2 3

−1

−2

So, h(1) = 2 = lim h(x) and hence, h(x) is now continuous at x = 1.

x→1

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 −1
EXAMPLE 4: Determine if j(x) = is continuous at x = −2.
x+2

−5 −4 −3 −2 −1 1 2
0

−1
−1
j(x) =
x+2
−2

−3

Solution. The function values from the left of −2 go to ∞ while from the left, they approach
−∞. Therefore, h(x) has an infinite essential discontinuity at x = −2. .

−1
EXAMPLE 5: Determine if k(x) = is continuous at x = 1.
1 − x3

2
1
k(x) =
1 − x3
1

−3 −2 −1 1 2 3
0

−1

−2

Solution. The function values from the left of 1 go to ∞ while from the left, they approach
−∞. Therefore, h(x) has an infinite essential discontinuity at x = 1. .

102
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 EXAMPLE 6: Consider now

2x − 3 , x ≤ 4,
f (x) =
x2 − x + 1 , x > 4.

Determine if f is continuous at x = 4.

(4, 13)

(4, 5)

Solution. From the graph above, lim f (x) = 5 and lim f (x) = 13. Hence, lim f (x) DNE,
x→4− x→4+ x→4
i.e., f (x) has a jump essential discontinuity at x = 4. .

EXAMPLE 7: Given the function


|x| , x ≤ −1,
g (x) =
x2 − 1 , x > −1,

determine if g is continuous at x = −1.

(−1, 1)

x
(−1, 0)

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Solution. From the graph above, lim g(x) = 1 and lim g(x) = 0. Hence, lim g(x) DNE,
x→−1− x→−1+ x→−1
i.e., g(x) has a jump essential discontinuity at x = −1. .

Supplementary Problems
Determine if the following functions are continuous at the point x = c. If not, classify the
discontinuity as to removable, jump essential or inifinite essential.

1 2x3 − 16
1. f (x) = ; x=3 13. f (x) = ; x=2
x−3 x−2
1
2. f (x) = ; x = −5 x3 + 27
x+5 14. f (x) = ; x = −3
x+3
x2 − 1
3. f (x) = ; x=1 
x−1 3x2 − 1 , x ≤ 0,
15. f (x) =
x2 − 1 x − 2 , x > 0,
4. f (x) = ; x = −1
x+1
x−2

5. f (x) = ; x=1 x − 1 , x ≤ 1,
x−1 16. f (x) =
x2 + 1 , x > 1,
x−1
6. f (x) = ; x = −1
x+1 
|x − 1| 1
, x≤ ,

x3 − 1 2
7. f (x) = ; x=1 17. f (x) = 1
x−1 −(x − 1) ,
 x> ,
2
x3 + 1
8. f (x) = ; x = −1 
x+1 x3 − 8 , x < −2,
18. f (x) =
x2 + 2 x , x ≥ −2,
9. f (x) = ; x=1
x−1
x2 − 3

3x2 − 1 , x < 0,
10. f (x) = ; x = −1
x+1 19. f (x) =
x − 2 , x ≥ 0,
x3 − 8
11. f (x) = ; x=2
x−2 
 x2 − 3 , x < 0,
x3 + 8 20. f (x) =
12. f (x) = ; x = −2 x − 3 , x ≥ 0,
x+2

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