Chapter 1: Limit and Continuity: by Solomon Bati Mathematics Dept Jimma University 2010

Chapter 1: Limit and continuity
By
SOLOMON BATI
MATHEMATICS DEPT
JIMMA UNIVERSITY
2010
Chapter Outline
1.1 Definitions and examples
1.2 Different types of limits
1.3 Limit theorems
1.4 Techniques for Limit Evaluation
1.5 Continuity, Discontinuity
1.6 properties of continuity
1.5 Intermediate value theorem
2 By solomon Bati (JU)

Informal Definition of Limit
The limit of f (x), as x approaches a, equals L

written: lim f ( x)  L
xa
if we can make the value f (x) arbitrarily close to L by taking

x to be sufficiently close to a.
y
y  f ( x)
L
x
a
Example 1
Set f(x) = 4x + 5 and take c = 2. As x approaches 2, 4x approaches 8 and 4x + 5
approaches 8 + 5 = 13. We conclude that
lim f ( x)  13.
x2
Example 2
Set
f  x   1  x and take a = −8.
As x approaches −8, 1 − x approaches 9 and 1  x approaches 3. We conclude
that
lim f  x   3
x 8
If for that same function we try to calculate

lim f  x 
x 2
we run into a problem. The function f  x   1  x is defined only for x ≤ 1.

It is therefore not defined for x near 2, and the idea of taking the limit as x
approaches 2 makes no sense at all:
lim f  x  does not exist.
By solomon Bati (JU) x2
4
Example 3
x3 – 8
lim = 12.
x→2 x–2
x3 – 8
The function f(x) = is undefined at x = 2. But, as we said before,
x–2
that
≠
doesn’t matter. For all x 2,
x3 – 8 (x – 2)(x2 + 2x +4)
= = x2 + 2x +4.
x–2 x–2
Therefore,
x3 – 8
lim = lim (x2 + 2x + 4) = 12.
x→2 x–2 x→2

Example 4. 3x if x  2
lim f ( x) where f ( x)  
x 2
1 if x  2
y
lim f ( x) = lim  3 x
x 2 x 2
6
 3 lim x
x 2
Note: f (-2) = 1  3(2)  6
is not involved x
- 2

One-Sided Limits
Numbers x near a fall into two natural categories: those that lie
to the left of a and those that lie to the right of a.
We write lim f  x  L
xa
to indicate that as x approaches a from the left , f(x)

approaches L.
The limit from the right (or right-
lim f  x  L hand limit) means that x approaches
We write xa c from values greater than c.
to indicate that as x approaches a from the right, f(x)
approaches L
The limit from the left (or left-hand limit) means that x
approaches c from values less than c.
The right-hand limit of f (x), as x approaches a, equals L
written: xlim 
f ( x)  M
a
if we can make the value f (x) arbitrarily close to L by

taking x to be sufficiently close to the right of a.
y  f ( x)
L
a
The left-hand limit of f (x), as x approaches a, equals M
written: lim f ( x)  M
x a
if we can make the value f (x) arbitrarily close to L by

taking x to be sufficiently close to the left of a.
y  f ( x)
M
a
Examples
 x 2 if x  3
1. Given f ( x)  
2x if x  3
Find lim f ( x)
x 3
lim f ( x)  lim 2 x  6
x 3 x 3
Find lim f ( x)
x 3
lim f ( x)  lim x 2  9
x 3 x 3

 x  1, if x  0
2. Let f ( x)  
 x  1, if x  0. Find the limits:
a) lim f ( x)  lim ( x  1)
x 0
 0 1  1
x 0
b) lim f ( x)  lim ( x  1)  0  1  1
x 0 x 0
c) lim f ( x)  lim(

x  1)  1  1  2
x 1 x 1
d) lim f ( x)  lim( x  1)  11  2

x 1 
x 1
Example 3
Find

x
lim =1
x 0 x
x
lim = -1
x 0 x
Therefore, the limit as x approaches 0 DNE!!
A Theorem
lim f ( x)  L if and only if lim f ( x)  L and lim f ( x)  L.
xa x a xa
This theorem is used to show a limit does not exist.
 x  1, if x  0
For the function f ( x)  
 x  1, if x  0.
lim f ( x) does not exist because lim f ( x)  1 and lim f ( x)  1.
x 0 x 0 x 0
But
lim f ( x)  2 because lim f ( x)  2 and lim f ( x)  2.
x 1 x 1 x 1
Example 2 For the function f indicated in figure 2.1.8,
lim  f  x   5 and lim  f  x   5

x  2 x  2
In this case lim f  x   5

x  2
It does not matter that f (−2) = 3.
Examining the graph of f near x = 4, we find

that
lim f  x   7 whereas lim f  x   2
x4 x4
Since these one-sided limits are different, lim f  x 

x 4
does not exist.

Exercises. Find the following limits if it exists.
2 x  3, x  1
a. lim f ( x); f ( x)   2 
x 1
x , x  1 
b. Find the limit of f(x) = as x approaches –2 from the
right.

Limits at Infinity
Definition: We say that a real number L is the limit of a function f as

x approaches to infinity iff f(x) gets closer to L as x increases with out
bound and is denoted by
lim f ( x)  L
x 
An infinite limit will exist as x approaches a finite value when

direct substitution produces
not zero
0
1 1
For all n > 0, lim n  lim n  0
x  x x  x
1
provided that n is defined.
x 5 1
2 3  2
3x  5 x  1 x x Divide
Example 1. xlim  lim 2
 2  4x 2 x  2 by x
 4
x2
5  1 
lim 3  lim    lim  2 
x  x   x  x   x  3 0 0 3
  
 2  04 4
lim  2   lim 4
x   x  x 
 4 x  5 x  21 
2  x2  2x  4 
2. lim  3  3. lim  
x  7 x  5 x 2  10 x  1
 
x 
 12 x  31 
 x2 2x 4 
 4 x 2 5 x 21
 3 3
    

x 3
x x
  lim  x x x
 lim  3 2  x 
 12 x  31 
x  7 x 5 x 10 x 1
   x x 
 3  3  3  3 
 x x x x 
 4 5 21   4
 x2 x 

 x x2  3 
 lim  x
  lim 
x  5 10
7  2  3
1
 x  31 
 x x x   12  
0  x 
   2
7 
12
0
By solomon Bati (JU)

18
4. lim
x 
 x 1  x
2


 lim 
 x2  1  x  x 1  x 
2

1 
x 
 x2  1  x 
 
 x2  1  x2 
 lim  
x 
 x 1  x 
2
 1  1 1
 lim     0
x 
 x 1  x 
2
 

Example - 5
3x3 - 4x2 + 6x - 1
Evaluate : lim
x 2x3 + x2 - 5x + 7
Solution :
3x3 - 4x2 + 6x - 1
We have lim
x  2x3 + x2 - 5x + 7
4 6 1
3-
+ -
x x2 x3 Dividing numerator and denominator by x3 
= lim
x 1 5 7  
2+ - +
x x2 x3
3-0+0-0 3
= =
2+0-0+0 2
Example – 6
5x - 6
Evaluate : lim
x 
4x2 + 9
Solution :
5x - 6
We have lim
x  4x2 + 9
 6 6
x 5 -  5-
 x x
= lim = lim
x   9  x  9
x 4 +  4+
 x2
 x2 
5-0 5
= =
4+0 2

Example - 7
Evaluate : lim  x2 + x + 1 - x 2 + 1 
 
x   
Solution :
We have lim  x2 + x + 1 - x2 + 1 
 
x   
 x2 + x + 1 - x2 + 1 
 
   2
= lim   x + x + 1 + x2 + 1 
x  x2 + x + 1 + x2 + 1   
 
 
x2 + x + 1 - x2 - 1
= lim
x 
x2 + x + 1 + x2 + 1

Solution Cont.
x
= lim
x 
x2 + x + 1 + x2 + 1
1
= lim  Dividing numerator and denominator by x 
x  1 1 1
1+ + + 1+
x x2 x2
1
=
1+ 0 + 0 + 1+ 0
1 1
= =
1+1 2

Exercise
13 + 23 + ... + n3
Evaluate : lim
n  n4
Solution :
2  2
3 3 3 n2  n + 1 n  n + 1 
We have lim
1 + 2 + ...+ n = lim
n  4
4n

  3
n =
 2




n n4  
 1 2
= lim

n2 n2 + 1 + 2n  n4 1 +
 n2
+ 
n
n  4n4 = lim
n  4n4
1  1 2
= × lim 1 + + 
4 n   n2 n
1 1
= ×  1 + 0 + 0 =
24 By solomon Bati (JU) 4 4
Graph of f(x)
x  7  6.999 1.80 True or false
t  2.2 2.205 7
(a) x = 2 is in the domain of f
(b) lime
xis
ts

x 2
(c) lim x2 f ( x)  lim x 2 f ( x)

Limit Theorems
Suppose lim f ( x)  L , lim g ( x)  M and c is any real number .
xa xa
Then,
1. lim  f ( x )   Lr
r
r , a real number
xa
2. lim cf ( x )  c lim f ( x)  cL c, a real number
xa xa
3. lim  f ( x )  g ( x )   L  M 4. lim  f ( x ) g ( x)   LM
xa xa
f ( x ) lim f ( x) L
5. lim  xa  Provided that M  0
xa g ( x) lim g ( x ) M
xa
6. lim c  c 7. lim f ( x)  L ( L  0) 8. lim x  a

xa xa xa
Example 1
Let lim f  x   4 andlim g  x   2 . Find the

x 5 x 5
following limits.
1. lim  f x   5gx  2. lim  f x  gx 

f  x
3. lim g x
x5 x5 x5
lim f x  + lim 5gx  lim f x  lim gx  lim f x

x5
x5 x5 x5 x5 lim g x
x5
lim f x + 5lim

 gx  42
 4
x5 x5 2
4 + 52  8 2

6 

Example 2
Evaluate lim  2 x5  9 x 3  3 x 2  11

x2
 lim  2 x5   lim  9 x 3   lim  3 x 2   lim  11

x 2 x 2 x 2 x 2
Sum/Difference Property
 5  3  2
 2 lim x  9 lim x  3 lim x  11
 x 2   x 2   x 2 
Multiple and Constant Properties
Direct Substitution
5 3 2
 2 lim x   9 lim x   3 lim x   11 Power Property
 x2   x 2   x 2 
 2  2   9  2   3  2   11  7
5 3 2
Limit of x Property

Example 3
  2
lim x 2  1  lim x  lim1
x 3 x 3 x 3
 
2
 lim x  lim1
x 3 x 3
 32  1  10
Example 4. 2x 1 lim  2 x  1 2 lim x  lim1

x 1
lim   x 1 x 1
x 1 3 x  5 lim  3 x  5  3lim x  lim 5
x 1 x 1 x 1
2 1 1
 
35 8

Example 5
1. Suppose lim f ( x )  4 and lim g ( x )   2. Find

x3 x3
a) lim  f ( x )  g ( x )   lim
x 3
f ( x)  lim g ( x)
x 3
x 3
 4  (2)  2
b) lim  f ( x)  g ( x)   lim f ( x)  lim g ( x)
x 3 x 3 x 3
 4  (2)  6
 2 f ( x )  g ( x )  lim 2 f ( x )  lim g ( x ) 2  4  (2) 5
c) lim   x3 x3
 
lim f ( x )  lim g ( x ) 4  (2) 4
x3
 f ( x) g ( x)  x3 x3

Exercises:
1 . If lim f (x)  2 and li m g ( x )  1 F in d
x 2 x 2
a ) li m [ f ( x )  5 g ( x ) ]
x 2
b ) lim [ fg ( x )]
x 2
f
c ) lim [ ( x )]
x 2 g
x x
 forx  0
2. Fin d lim  f ( x ) if f ( x)   x
x 0 2 for x  0


Techniques for Limit Evaluation
1. Direct substitution
First substitute the value of x being approached into the function f(x).
If this is a real number then the limit is that number.
1. lim x 4 2 Substitute 4 for x.

x4
x2 6 2
36
2. lim 
x3 63 9 4 Substitute 6 for x.
x6

2. By factorization followed by cancellation
Example 1
x2  x  6 0
lim  Which is undefined!
x2 x2 0
But the limit exist!!!!
Graph it. What happens at x = 2?
x
2

x6(x
3
)
(
x
2)
l
i
m m 
l
i l
i
m(
x
3
)5

x2x
2 
x 
2x2x2
x2  x  6
NOTE : f ( x )  g ra p h s a s a stra igh t lin e .
x  2
Example 2
Find the limit:
Solution: begin by factoring the numerator and dividing

out any common factors.
Factor numerator.
Divide out common factor
and simplify.
Direct substitution

x5
Example 3 . Find lim 2
x 5 x  25
x5 0
lim Notice form
x 5 x 2  25
0
x5
 lim Factor and cancel common
x 5  x  5   x  5  factors
1 1
 lim 
x 5  x  5  10
E x e r c is e : E v a lu a te
1 1 2x 2x  8 x  8
a) lim
x 0
(
x  1 x  3

3x  5
) b) lim
x 4
(
2  x
)
2
c )lim ( x  3x
)
x 3 x  3
Example 4
Evaluate the limit analytically:
11
limx3  33 xx 
x 3
lim 
3
 x
3
x
3
x
x3 
x 3
Cancel the  x3
 If the subtraction is
denominators
of the fractions
lim x3 3x
backwards, Factoring a
negative 1 to flip the signs
in the
x
3
 x3

numerator
lim x3 3x
Cancel common factors
x 3
lim 1
3x
x 3
36 By solomon Bati (JU) 

3
1
3
1
9
Direct substitution
Example 5
Evaluate the limit analytically: sin x
1
lim 1tan x
 lim
sin x cosx
cos x

sin x cosx cosx
cosx Eliminate the
x  4 x  4 embedded fraction
Rewrite the  lim cosx sin x

x  4 
tangent sin x cosx  cosx
function using
sin x cosx  If the subtraction
cosine and
 lim is backwards,
x  4 
sine sin x cosx  cosx Factoring a
  negative 1 to flip
 lim 1
cosx
the signs
x  4
  1 Direct substitution
cos4 
37
 
By solomon Bati (JU) 1
2 2
 2
3 – Rationalizing Technique
Find the limit:
Solution: By direct substitution, you obtain the indeterminate

form .
Indeterminate form
In this case, rewrite the fraction by rationalizing the numerator.
Multiply.

Simplify. cont’d
Divide out common factor.
Simplify.

Example 2
y 2 2 y2 2
lim y 2  y2 2
Rationalize the numerator
y 2
 y  2 4
 lim  y 2  y 2 2
y 2
y2
 lim
y 2  y2  y2 2  Cancel common factors
 lim
y 2
1
y22  1
2 2  2
 1
4
40 By solomon Bati (JU) Direct substitution

Example 5
 x 3  ( x  3)( x  3) 
a) lim  
 = lim  
 x9   ( x  9)( x  3) 
x 9 x 9
 x 9   1  1
 lim   lim 6
 x 9  x 3
x 9 ( x  9)( x  3)
  
 4  x2   (2  x)(2  x) 
b) lim  2  = lim 
x 2 2 x  x 3
  x 2  x 2 (2  x) 
 2 x 
= li m  2 
x 2
 x 
2  (2) 4
  1
( 2) 2
4
41
Exercises: Evaluate
x 3 x7 3
a)lim( ) b) lim( )
x 3 x 3 x 2 x2
x 3 x  4  2 2 2
c) lim( ) d ) lim( 4 x  x  4 x  x )
x 2 x 3 x 

By using important Limits
o
1c sx
1. limsinx l
im 0
1 x0 x
x0 x
Proof (Assignment)  a x1 
 ln a
lim
x 0  x 
x
 

lim  1 
1  1 x 
2.  e lim ln    1
 x
x 
 x 
x  0
 xn a n 
a
n 1
 n
lim
x a  xa 
 
Example 1
lim sin 3 x
5x
 3
3  lim 3sin 3x
53 x
x0 x 0
 lim 
If 3x is the
3 sin 3 x Isolate the “freebie”
input of the
5 3x
sine function x0
then 3x needs
to be in the
denominator
  lim
3
5
sin 3 x
3x Scalar Multiple Property
x0
 53 1 Assumed Trig Limit
44 By solomon Bati (JU)  53

Example 2
lim 
1cosx 1cosx
x sin x 1cosx  lim 1cosx cosx cos2 x
x sin x1cosx 
x0 x0
1cos2 x
 lim
x  0 x sin x1cosx
Try multiplying
by the
sin 2 x
reciprocal
 lim Use the
x  0 x sin x1cosx Trigonometry

Laws
  lim sin x
x  0 x1cosx 
  lim sin x
x  lim 1
1cosx
Split up the limits
x0 x0
 1 1
1cos0 A freebie limit and Direct
45

1
2
substitution
Exercises: Evaluate
6 x  sin 2 x cos( ax )  cos( bx )

a) lim ( 2 x  3 sin 4 x
) b) lim ( 2
)
x 0 x 0
x
2 1
x sin( ) 2 2
lim ( 7 x tan
x )  (3 x )
c) lim ( d) 2
)
x 0 sin x x 0
x
 x 1 
2 x5 x
 3x  6 
e ) lim   f ) lim x 1
 3x 9 
x  x 
x
3x
 xa  36
g ) If lim    e , then find the value of a .
 x4 
x

Exercises: Evaluate
2x x
 3x  6   x3 
a) lim   b ) lim  
 3x 9   x 
x x
c) If lim( e  1)
 1, prove that
x0 x
 e  ax  e  bx 
ba
i ) lim
x0 x 
 
 a x b x  a
ii ) lim
x0 x   ln( b )
 
The Squeezing Theorem
If f ( x)  g ( x)  h( x) when x is near a, and if
lim f ( x)  lim h( x)  L, then lim g ( x)  L

x a
x a x a
Example: Show that lim x 2 sin 

x 0
 x   0.
Note that we cannot use product rule because lim sin 
x 0
 x  DNE!
But  1  sin 
x    
 1 and so  x 2  x 2 sin   x 2 .
x
Since lim x 2  lim(  x 2 )  0,we use the Squeezing Theorem to conclude
x 0 x 0
lim x 2 sin 
x 0
 x   0.
Exercise
2x
 6 x 2  x s in x 
1. lim  
x 1 2
2
x 
 
1  co s 4 x  
2 . S u p p o se  f ( x )  4  sin 2 x ,  x  (  , ).
2 2 2
T h en eva lu a te lim f ( x )
x
4
 2 1 
 2 1   x s in (
x
)
3 . E v a lu a te a ) li m 
x 0

x s in ( ) 
x 
b ) li m 
x 0 s in x

 
 

The formal(  - ) Definition of Limit
Let f be a function defined on an interval containing ''a'' except possibly at a itself.
We say lim f (x)  L if and only if
xa
given a positive number  , there exists a positive  such that
if 0 | x  a |  , then | f ( x)  L |  .
L
L
L 
y  f ( x)
a
a  a 
This means that if we are given a
small interval ( L   , L   ) centered at L,
then we can find a (small) interval (a   , a   )
such that for all x  a in (a   , a   ),

f ( x) is in ( L   , L   ).

Examples
1. Show that lim(3 x  4)  10.
x2
Let   0 be given. We need to find a   0 such that
if | x - 2 |  , then | (3 x  4)  10 |  .
But | (3x  4)  10 || 3 x  6 | 3 | x  2 | 
 
if | x  2| So we choose   .
3 3
1
2. Show that lim  1.
x 1 x
Let   0 be given. We need to find a   0 such that

if | x  1|  , then | 1  1|  .
x
1 x 1 1
But |  1|| | | x  1| . What do we do with the x?
x x x
1
If we decide | x  1| , then 1  x  3 . 1/2
2 2 2 1 3/2
1
And so <2.
x
1 1
Thus |  1| | x  1| 2 | x  1| .
x x
 1 
N o w w e c h o o s e   m in  , 
2 2
Exercises: Prove that

a) lim (4 x  5)  7
x3
b) lim
x5
x 1  2
4 3 2
d ) lim ( x
2 2  6x  x 3
c) lim x
x 3
9
x 1 x 1
)  8

Definition of Limit
Exercise. Prove that
a) lim 
x  0 b) lim 4 x
 0
x 0 x 4

Asymptotes
The line y  L is called a horizontal asymptot e
of the curve y  f ( x ) if eihter
lim f ( x)  L or lim f ( x)  L.
x  x 
The line x  c is called a vertical asymptote

of the curve y  f ( x) if eihter
lim f ( x)   or lim f ( x)  .
x c x c
Examples
Find the asymptotes of the graphs of the functions
x 1 2
1. f ( x)  2
x 1
(i) lim f ( x)   (iii) lim f ( x)  1.
x 
x 1
Therefore the line x  1 Therefore the line y  1
is a vertical asymptote. is a horizonatl asymptote.
(ii) lim f ( x)  .
10
7.5
x 1 5
T h e re fo re th e lin e x   1
2.5
-4 -2 2 4
is a v e rtic a l a s y m p to te . -2.5
-5
-7.5
-10
x 1
2. f ( x)  2 (iii) lim f ( x)  0.
x 1 x 
 x 1  Therefore the line y  0

(i) lim f ( x )  lim  2 
x 1 x 1
 x 1  is a horizonatl asymptote.
 x 1   1  1
= lim    lim    .
 ( x  1)( x  1)  x1  x  1  2
10
x 1
7.5
T herefore the line x  1

5
2.5
is N O T a vertical asym p t ot e . -4 -2
-2.5
2 4
(ii) lim f ( x)  . -5
x 1 -7.5
-10
T h e re fo re th e lin e x   1
is a v e rtic a l a s y m p to te .
Continuity
1. Continuity of a Function at a point
A function f is continuous at the point x = a if the following three
conditions are satisfied:
i ) f (a) is defined
y
ii ) lim f ( x) exists
x a
iii ) lim f ( x)  f (a) f(a)

x a
x
a
If f(x) is not continuous at x = a, then it is
said to be discontinuous at x = a.

N.B To say a function is continuous at x = c means that there is NO
interruption in the graph of f at c. The graph has no holes, gaps, or
jumps.
Example f (x) = x – 1 at x = 2.
a. f (2) = 1 f (2) is defined
l
im (
x1
) 1The limit exist!
b. x
 2
c. f
(2
)
1
li
m (
x1
)
x2
Therefore the function is continuous at x = 2.

Example
f (x) = (x2 – 9)/(x + 3) at x = -3
a. f (-3) = 0/0 Is undefined!

x 2
9
b. lim
3 x
 -6 The limit exist!
x 3
x9 2
c. li
m  
f(3
)
x3x3
Therefore the function is not continuous at x = -3.

Example –3
Determine the continuity of the function
 2 1
x sin , x  0
f  x =  x at x = 0.

 0, x = 0
S o lu tio n :
1
LH L at x = 0  = lim f  x  = lim x 2 s in
x  0- x0 x
= 0 ×  a finite oscillating number between - 1 and 1  = 0
1
 RHL at x = 0  = lim f  x  = lim x2 sin
x  0+ x 0 x
= 0 ×  a finite oscillating number between - 1 and 1  = 0 and f  0  = 0
 lim f  x  = lim f  x   f  0 
x  0- x  0+ is conti n uo u s a t x = 0.
So, f(x)
Examples
At which value(s) of x is the given function discontinuous?
2
x  9
1. f ( x)  x  2 2. g (x) 
x  3
Continuous everywhere Continuous everywhere except at
lim( x  2)  a  2 x  3
xa
and so lim f (x)  f (a) g(3) is undefined

xa
6 4
2
4
-6 -4 -2 2 4
2
-2
-4
-4 -2 2 4
-6
-2
-8

-10
62
 x  2, if x  1 1, if x  0
3. h ( x )   4. F ( x)  
1, if x  1 1, if x  0
and
lim F ( x)  1 lim F ( x)  1
lim h( x)  1
x 1
and lim h( x )
x 1
3 x 0 x  0
Thus F is not cont. at x  0.

Thus h is not cont. at x=1.
F is continuous everywhere else
h is continuous everywhere else
5
3
4
3 2
2
1
-10 -5 5 10
-2 2 4
-1
-1
-2
-2
-3 -3

Exercises
1 . D eterm in e th e v alu e o f th e co n stan t k so th at th e fu n ctio n
 sin 5 x
 , if x  0
f  x  =  3x is co n tin u o u s at x = 0 .
k, if x = 0

2 . D e te rm in e th e c o n tin u ity o f th e f u n c tio n

 ex - 1
 , if x  0
f  x  =  ln  1 + 2 x  at x = 0.

7 , if x = 0
3. Find the valu e of k if f  x  is contin uous at x = 2, w h ere

kx 2 , if x  2
f  x = 
3, if x > 2

Solution for exercise number 2
Determine the continuity of the function

 ex - 1
 , if x  0
f  x  =  ln  1 + 2x  at x = 0.

7, if x = 0
Solution :
ex - 1 ex - 1 x
 LHL at x = 0 = lim- f  x  = xlim
0 ln  1 + 2x 
= lim
x 0 x
×
ln  1 + 2x 
x 0
ex - 1 1 1 1
= lim × = 1× =
x 0 x ln  1 + 2x  1× 2 2
lim ×2
x 0 2x

Solution (Cont.)
ex - 1 ex - 1 x
 RHL at x = 0  = lim+ f  x  = lim ln 1 + 2x = lim x × ln 1 + 2x
x 0 x 0   x 0  
ex - 1 1 1 1
= lim × = 1× =
x 0 x ln  1 + 2x  1× 2 2
lim ×2
x 0 2x
and f  0  = 7
 lim f  x  = lim f  x   f  0 
x  0- x  0+
So, f(x) is discontinuous at x = 0.

Discontinuity
A function is discontinuous at c if f is defined on an interval (a,
b) containing c (except maybe at c) and f is not continuous at c.
Types of Discontinuity
Discontinuities fall into two categories: removable and non-removable.
1. Removable : A discontinuity at c is called removable if f can be made

continuous by appropriately defining (or redefining f(c)).
You can factor/cancel out, therefore making it continuous by
redefining f(c).
2. Non-Removable: You can’t remove it/cancel it out!

Two Types of Discontinuities
1. Removable
Point Discontinuity the open circle
2. Non-removable can be filled in
Jump and Infinite to make it
Removable example continuous
x2 1
f ( x) 
x 1
( x  1)( x  1)
f ( x) 
x 1

Non-removable discontinuity.
x
Ex. lim
x 0 x
x
lim  -1
x 0 x
x
lim  1
x 0 x

Examples:
1. Removable:
x2  4 ( x  2)( x  2) 
f ( x)   x2
x2 x2
We “removed” the (x-2).
Therefore, we have a removable discontinuity when x = 2.
 Non-Removable:
We can’t remove/cancel out this discontinuity, so we have a NON-Removable

discontinuity when x = 1.
If
a function can be made to be continuous by defining or
redefining a single point, the function has a removable
discontinuity. Example f(x)=
we can make the function continuous by defining g(4) = -2
Exercises
Discuss the continuity of each function.
Ans. a) has non-removable discontinuity at x=0

b) Has removable discontinuity at x=1
c) And d) are continuous at everywhere.

One Sided Continuity
i. f(x) is said to be continuous from the left at x = a if
-
l
i
mfx
e
x
i
s
ts
an
d
l
im
fx
=
a
f -
x

a x

a
ii. f(x) is said to be right continuous at x = a if
+
l
i
m x
f e
x
i
s
ts
an
d
l
imx
f=
a
f +
x

a x

a

1. Determine the continuity of the ff function at x=1 and at x = 3
x  1 if x  1
 2
f(x)  x  3x  4 if 1  x  3
5  x if x  3

5  x, 1  x  2
2. g(x)=
x  1,
2
2 x3
Is g(x) continuous at x = 2?

2. Continuity Over an Open/Closed Interval
a) A function f(x) is said to be continuous on an open interval (a, b)

if f(x) is continuous at every x-value in the interval.
b) A function f(x) is said to be continuous on a closed interval [a, b] if

 1 f(x) is continuous on (a, b).
 2 lim f  x  = f  a  3 lim f  x  = f  b 
x a + x  b-

x  1 if x  1
 2
f(x)  x  3x  4 if 1  x  3
5  x if x  3


Determine whether the following functions are
continuous on the given interval.
1
f ( x)  ,  0,1
yes, it is
continuous
x
( )
1

x 12
f ( x)  , (0,2)
x 1
( )
discontinuous at x = 1
removable discontinuity since filling in (1,2)
would make it continuous.

Example – Continuity on a Closed Interval
Discuss the continuity of f(x) =
Solution:
The domain of f is the closed interval [–1, 1]. At all points in the
open interval (–1, 1) the function is continuous.
Moreover,
You can conclude that f is

continuous on the closed interval
[–1, 1], as shown in Figure

Properties of Continuous Functions
If f and g are continuous at x = a, then
f
f  g , fg , and  g (a)  0  are continuous at x  a.
g
Continuity of Special Functions
(1) A polynomial function is continuous at everywhere.
(2) A rational function is continuous at all x values in its domain.

(3) Trigonometric functions are continuous in their respective domains.
 4 The exponential function ax , a > 0 is continuous everywhere.
(5) The logarithmic function is continuous in its domain.
(6) Inverse trigonometric functions are continuous in their domains.
(7) The composition of two continuous functions is a continuous function.

Exercise
1. Describe the interval(s) on which each function is continuous.
Ans. A) The tangent function f(x) = tan x is undefined at
At all other points it is continuous.
b) y = sin (1/x) is continuous at all real values except x = 0.

g is continuous on the intervals
c) h is continuous on the entire real line.

The Definition of continuity

Intermediate Value Theorem
If
f is a continuous function on a closed interval [a, b], and L
is any number between f (a) and f (b), then there is at least
one number c in [a, b] such that f(c) = L.
y  f ( x)
f (b)
f (c) = L
f (a)
a c b
The Intermediate Value Theorem guarantees the existence
of at least one number c in the closed interval [a, b] .
There may, of course, be more than one number c such that
f(c) = k, as shown in Figure .

The Intermediate Value Theorem states that for a continuous
function f, if x takes on all values between a and b, f(x) must
take on all values between f(a) and f(b).
The Intermediate Value Theorem often can be used to locate

the zeros of a function that is continuous on a closed interval
if f is continuous on [a, b] and f(a) and f(b) differ in sign, the

Intermediate Value Theorem guarantees the existence of at
least one zero of f in the closed interval [a, b] .
Intermediate Value Theorem for Continuous Functions

If f is continuous, f(a) < 0 and f(b) > 0, then there is a point c between
a and b so that f(c) = 0.

Example 1
Use the Intermediate Value Theorem to show that the

polynomial function has a zero in the interval
[0, 1].
Solution:
Note that f is continuous on the closed interval [0, 1].Because
it follows that f(0) < 0 and f(1) > 0.
You can therefore apply the Intermediate Value Theorem to

conclude that there must be some c in [0, 1] such that

Example 2 Given f ( x )  3 x 2  2 x  5,
Show that f ( x )  0 has a solution on  1, 2  .
f (1)  4  0
f (2)  3  0
f (x) is continuous (polynomial) and since f (1) < 0 and f (2) > 0,
by the Intermediate Value Theorem there exists a c on [1, 2]
such that f (c) = 0.
Exercise. Show that there is a root of the equation

4 x3  6 x2  3x  2  0
between 1 and 2.

Chapter 1: Limit and Continuity: by Solomon Bati Mathematics Dept Jimma University 2010

Uploaded by

Copyright:

Available Formats

Chapter 1: Limit and Continuity: by Solomon Bati Mathematics Dept Jimma University 2010

Uploaded by

Document Information

Original Title

Copyright

Available Formats

Share this document

Share or Embed Document

Sharing Options

Did you find this document useful?

Is this content inappropriate?

Copyright:

Available Formats

Chapter 1: Limit and Continuity: by Solomon Bati Mathematics Dept Jimma University 2010

Uploaded by

Copyright:

Available Formats

Chapter 1: Limit and continuity

1.2 Different types of limits

1.3 Limit theorems

1.4 Techniques for Limit Evaluation

1.5 Continuity, Discontinuity

1.6 properties of continuity

1.5 Intermediate value theorem

2 By solomon Bati (JU)

The limit of f (x), as x approaches a, equals L

if we can make the value f (x) arbitrarily close to L by taking

If for that same function we try to calculate

we run into a problem. The function f  x   1  x is defined only for x ≤ 1.

5 By solomon Bati (JU)

6 By solomon Bati (JU)

to indicate that as x approaches a from the left , f(x)

if we can make the value f (x) arbitrarily close to L by

if we can make the value f (x) arbitrarily close to L by

10 By solomon Bati (JU)

d) lim f ( x)  lim( x  1)  11  2

This theorem is used to show a limit does not exist.

lim  f  x   5 and lim  f  x   5

In this case lim f  x   5

It does not matter that f (−2) = 3.

Examining the graph of f near x = 4, we find

Since these one-sided limits are different, lim f  x 

does not exist.

15 By solomon Bati (JU)

Definition: We say that a real number L is the limit of a function f as

An infinite limit will exist as x approaches a finite value when

19 By solomon Bati (JU)

21 By solomon Bati (JU)

22 By solomon Bati (JU)

23 By solomon Bati (JU)

(c) lim x2 f ( x)  lim x 2 f ( x)

25 By solomon Bati (JU)

6. lim c  c 7. lim f ( x)  L ( L  0) 8. lim x  a

Let lim f  x   4 andlim g  x   2 . Find the

1. lim  f x   5gx  2. lim  f x  gx 

lim f x  + lim 5gx  lim f x  lim gx  lim f x

lim f x + 5lim

Evaluate lim  2 x5  9 x 3  3 x 2  11

 lim  2 x5   lim  9 x 3   lim  3 x 2   lim  11

28 By solomon Bati (JU)

Example 4. 2x 1 lim  2 x  1 2 lim x  lim1

29 By solomon Bati (JU)

1. Suppose lim f ( x )  4 and lim g ( x )   2. Find

30 By solomon Bati (JU)

31 By solomon Bati (JU)

1. lim x 4 2 Substitute 4 for x.

32 By solomon Bati (JU)

Solution: begin by factoring the numerator and dividing

Divide out common factor

34 By solomon Bati (JU)

Rewrite the  lim cosx sin x

Solution: By direct substitution, you obtain the indeterminate

38 By solomon Bati (JU)

Divide out common factor.

39 By solomon Bati (JU)

Evaluate the limit analytically: