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Precalculus · Mathematics
Functions · Types of limits and continuity

Continuity of Some Functions

Before you start, make sure you know: Piecewise functions (Algebra 1)
Before you start, make sure you know: Algebraic fractions (Algebra 1)

Emma parks in a downtown garage that charges $\$2$ for the first hour and $\$3.50$ if she stays longer, up to two hours. At 59 minutes she owes $\$2$. At 61 minutes she owes $\$3.50$. The price jumps even though only two minutes went by. The altitude of a hiker climbing a hill never jumps like that. In this section you will learn to tell the two situations apart with limits, for every family of functions you know.

Continuity and types of discontinuity

A function is continuous at $x=a$ if its graph does not break there. The value the function approaches from both sides must equal the value it actually takes at $a$.

If one of the three conditions fails, $f$ is discontinuous at $a$. The type of discontinuity depends on how it fails.

Three graphs side by side: a removable discontinuity with a hole, a jump discontinuity with two pieces at different heights, and an infinite discontinuity with a vertical asymptote. removable jump infinite
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Observe the following graph representing the water level in a tank $N(t)$ as a function of time $t$. Identify the type of discontinuity the function presents at the…

Observe the following graph representing the water level in a tank $N(t)$ as a function of time $t$.

a L1 L2 t N(t)

Identify the type of discontinuity the function presents at the instant $t = a$ and express the one-sided limits mathematically using $L_1$ and $L_2$.

Solve
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Study the continuity of the following piecewise function at the point $x=1$: $h(x) = \begin{cases} 3x-1 & \text{if } x < 1 \\ x^2+1 & \text{if } x \ge 1 \end{cases}$

Study the continuity of the following piecewise function at the point $x=1$:

$h(x) = \begin{cases} 3x-1 & \text{if } x < 1 \\ x^2+1 & \text{if } x \ge 1 \end{cases}$

Solve

Where the basic functions are continuous

You do not need to test every function from scratch. The families you know are continuous everywhere on their domains, and the limit laws extend that to sums, products, quotients and compositions.

So the domain of continuity is just the domain, found by solving the inequality or equation the table gives you. At an endpoint of the domain (like the start of a radical), only the one-sided limit from inside the domain matters.

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Find the domain of continuity of the radical function $g(t) = \sqrt{t^2-4t}$. Justify your answer by solving the corresponding inequality.

Find the domain of continuity of the radical function $g(t) = \sqrt{t^2-4t}$. Justify your answer by solving the corresponding inequality.

Solve
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Given the logarithmic function $f(x) = \ln(8-2x)$, determine its domain of continuity, justifying the necessary calculations.

Given the logarithmic function $f(x) = \ln(8-2x)$, determine its domain of continuity, justifying the necessary calculations.

Solve
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Study the continuity of the trigonometric function $g(x) = \frac{1}{\cos x}$ in the open interval $(0, 2\pi)$. At which points does it present discontinuities and of…

Study the continuity of the trigonometric function $g(x) = \frac{1}{\cos x}$ in the open interval $(0, 2\pi)$. At which points does it present discontinuities and of what type are they?

Solve

Rational functions: removable or infinite?

A rational function can only break where its denominator is $0$. Whether the break is a hole or an asymptote depends on whether the numerator is also $0$ there.

In applied models, an infinite discontinuity means the quantity grows without bound near that input. For instance, if a model for stress in a beam of length $L$ has $x^2-L^2$ in the denominator, then as $x\to L$ the stress becomes unbounded. In reality that means the model stops being valid, or that the material fails, near $x=L$.

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Determine the points of discontinuity of the rational function $f(x) = \frac{2x+5}{x^2-9}$ and indicate, by calculating the one-sided limits, the behavior of the…

Determine the points of discontinuity of the rational function $f(x) = \frac{2x+5}{x^2-9}$ and indicate, by calculating the one-sided limits, the behavior of the function at these points.

Solve
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Study the points of discontinuity of the function $f(x) = \frac{2x^2-8}{x^2-x-2}$. Classify each of them, indicating whether they are removable or non-removable (and of…

Study the points of discontinuity of the function $f(x) = \frac{2x^2-8}{x^2-x-2}$. Classify each of them, indicating whether they are removable or non-removable (and of what type).

Solve
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In the design of a support beam, the shear force $S(x)$ along its length $x$ is given by: $S(x) = \frac{k \sqrt{x}}{x^2-L^2}$ where $L$ is the total length of the beam…

In the design of a support beam, the shear force $S(x)$ along its length $x$ is given by:

$S(x) = \frac{k \sqrt{x}}{x^2-L^2}$

where $L$ is the total length of the beam ($L > 0$) and $k$ is a material constant. Study the domain of continuity of $S(x)$ and mathematically classify the discontinuity at $x=L$. What physical interpretation does this limit have in the context of the material's resistance?

Solve

Finding parameters in rational functions

Often a parameter is hidden in a rational function and a graph feature tells you its value. The trick is to translate each feature into an equation.

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Determine the value of the parameter $k$ so that the rational function $f(x) = \frac{x^2-kx-6}{x-2}$ has a removable discontinuity at $x=2$. Once $k$ is found, what…

Determine the value of the parameter $k$ so that the rational function $f(x) = \frac{x^2-kx-6}{x-2}$ has a removable discontinuity at $x=2$. Once $k$ is found, what value should $f(2)$ take for the function to be completely continuous at that point?

Solve
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Find the values of $a, b$ and $c$ so that the rational function $f(x) = \frac{ax^2+bx+c}{x^2-4}$ simultaneously satisfies the following conditions: 1. It has a removable…

Find the values of $a, b$ and $c$ so that the rational function $f(x) = \frac{ax^2+bx+c}{x^2-4}$ simultaneously satisfies the following conditions:

  1. It has a removable discontinuity at $x=2$.

  2. It has a vertical asymptote at $x=-2$.

  3. Its limit as $x \to \infty$ is $3$.

  4. It crosses the y-axis at $y = -1.5$.

Solve

Absolute value and exponents with $1/x$

Two situations make the left and right sides behave differently even though the formula is one line.

Absolute value. Rewrite it as a piecewise function: $|x-a| = x-a$ if $x\ge a$ and $|x-a| = -(x-a)$ if $x

Exponents with $1/x$. When the exponent has $x$ in a denominator, the two sides of $0$ give totally different results:

$x\to0^+$ $x\to0^-$
$\dfrac1x$ $+\infty$ $-\infty$
$e^{1/x}$ $+\infty$ $0$
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Given the absolute value function $f(x) = \frac{x^2-9}{|x-3|}$, rewrite it as a piecewise function and classify the type of discontinuity it presents at $x=3$.

Given the absolute value function $f(x) = \frac{x^2-9}{|x-3|}$, rewrite it as a piecewise function and classify the type of discontinuity it presents at $x=3$.

Solve
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Analyze the continuity of the function $f(x) = \frac{x}{1-e^{1/x}}$ at the point $x=0$. Calculate the one-sided limits and determine whether the discontinuity is…

Analyze the continuity of the function $f(x) = \frac{x}{1-e^{1/x}}$ at the point $x=0$. Calculate the one-sided limits and determine whether the discontinuity is removable or a jump discontinuity.

Solve
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Study the continuity of the function $f(x) = e^{\frac{1}{|x|-1}}$ in detail. Determine its domain, calculate the limits at the critical points, and rigorously classify…

Study the continuity of the function $f(x) = e^{\frac{1}{|x|-1}}$ in detail. Determine its domain, calculate the limits at the critical points, and rigorously classify the type of discontinuity it presents at each of them.

Solve

Piecewise functions and parameters

If each piece is continuous on its own interval, the only suspicious places are the boundary points where the formula changes. (Also check each piece for its own problems, such as a denominator that vanishes inside its interval.)

Graph of a piecewise function where a parabola piece and a line piece meet at the same point at x equals 2. x = 2 x² + 1 ax − 3 the pieces meet at height 5

With two parameters you need two boundary conditions, so you get a system of two equations.

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Calculate the value of the parameter $k$ so that the function $f(x)$ is continuous over its entire domain:…

Calculate the value of the parameter $k$ so that the function $f(x)$ is continuous over its entire domain:

$f(x) = \begin{cases} x^2+k & \text{if } x \le 2 \\ 5x-3 & \text{if } x > 2 \end{cases}$

Solve
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Find the values of the parameters $a$ and $b$ so that the following function is continuous over its entire domain $\mathbb{R}$:…

Find the values of the parameters $a$ and $b$ so that the following function is continuous over its entire domain $\mathbb{R}$:

$f(x) = \begin{cases} ax^2+b & \text{if } x < 1 \\ 3x-a & \text{if } 1 \le x < 3 \\ \frac{b}{x-2} & \text{if } x \ge 3 \end{cases}$

Solve
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The voltage $V(t)$ in volts of a closed electrical circuit behaves according to the function:…

The voltage $V(t)$ in volts of a closed electrical circuit behaves according to the function:

$V(t) = \begin{cases} 12\cos(\pi t) & \text{if } t \le 1 \\ k e^{-(t-1)} & \text{if } t > 1 \end{cases}$

Calculate the value of $k$ so that the voltage does not experience a sudden jump (is continuous) at the instant $t=1$.

Solve

Step functions and reading graphs

On a graph, a filled dot means "the function takes this value" and an open dot means "the function does not take this value, but approaches it." A continuous graph can be drawn without lifting your pencil. Every lift is a discontinuity, and the way the pieces end tells you the type.

Let's go back to Emma's garage. Here is the fee $C(t)$ in dollars for a stay of $t$ hours.

$$C(t)=\begin{cases}2 & 0 Step graph of the garage fee: 2 dollars for stays up to 1 hour and 3.50 dollars for stays longer than 1 hour up to 2 hours, with a jump at t equals 1. 1 2 time t (hours) 2 3.5 fee (dollars)
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A parking rate charges $\$2$ for the first hour or fraction thereof, and $\$3.5$ if the time exceeds the first hour up to a maximum of two hours. Define the cost…

A parking rate charges $\$2$ for the first hour or fraction thereof, and $\$3.5$ if the time exceeds the first hour up to a maximum of two hours. Define the cost function $C(t)$ for $t \in (0, 2]$ and analyze whether it is continuous at $t=1$.

Solve
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The following graph illustrates the volume $V(t)$ in gallons of an industrial water tank during an emptying and subsequent filtering process, as a function of time $t$…

The following graph illustrates the volume $V(t)$ in gallons of an industrial water tank during an emptying and subsequent filtering process, as a function of time $t$ in hours.

t (h) V (gal) 2 5 1000 400

Knowing that for $t > 5$ the curve follows an exponential model $V(t) = A \cdot e^{-k(t-5)}$, and assuming that the function is continuous over its entire domain, determine the value of $A$.

Solve
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The voltage signal on an oscilloscope shows a damped wave that suddenly stabilizes due to the action of a clipping diode at $t = t_c$. The analytical model for $t \ge 0$…

The voltage signal on an oscilloscope shows a damped wave that suddenly stabilizes due to the action of a clipping diode at $t = t_c$.

t V(t) tc

The analytical model for $t \ge 0$ is:

$V(t) = \begin{cases} e^{-0.5t} \cos(2\pi t) & \text{if } 0 \le t < t_c \\ C & \text{if } t \ge t_c \end{cases}$

Knowing that the clipping occurs exactly at the fourth complete cycle of the cosine wave ($t_c = 4$), analytically prove that the function is continuous at that point by calculating the exact value that the constant $C$ must have.

Solve

A toolbox for the limits you need

To match two pieces you often need a limit that gives $\frac00$ at first. Three tools cover almost every case.

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The following piecewise function is defined, including radicals, exponentials, and polynomials:…

The following piecewise function is defined, including radicals, exponentials, and polynomials:

$f(x) = \begin{cases} \frac{\sqrt{x^2+a^2}-a}{x^2} & \text{if } x < 0 \\ b & \text{if } x = 0 \\ \frac{e^{cx}-1}{4x} & \text{if } x > 0 \end{cases}$

Knowing that $a > 0$, determine the relationship between the parameters $a, b$ and $c$ so that the function is continuous at $x=0$.

Solve
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The specific heat capacity $C_p(T)$ of a material undergoes a phase transition at a critical temperature $T_c = 100$ K. The proposed thermodynamic model is:…

The specific heat capacity $C_p(T)$ of a material undergoes a phase transition at a critical temperature $T_c = 100$ K. The proposed thermodynamic model is:

$C_p(T) = \begin{cases} \frac{500}{\sqrt{120-T}} & \text{if } T < 100 \\ 200 \ln(T-99) + k & \text{if } T \ge 100 \end{cases}$

Calculate the value of $k$ knowing that during the phase transition a finite jump discontinuity (latent heat) occurs such that $\lim_{T \to 100^+} C_p(T) - \lim_{T \to 100^-} C_p(T) = 80$.

Solve

Modeling with continuous piecewise functions

Real models switch formulas at a threshold: a tax bracket, a time when a process changes, a drug being absorbed and then eliminated. Continuity says "no sudden jump" at the switch.

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In a laboratory culture, the number of bacteria $N(t)$ (in thousands) as a function of time $t$ (in hours) is modeled by the following function:…

In a laboratory culture, the number of bacteria $N(t)$ (in thousands) as a function of time $t$ (in hours) is modeled by the following function:

$N(t) = \begin{cases} 10 e^{0.5t} & \text{if } 0 \le t < 4 \\ a t + b & \text{if } t \ge 4 \end{cases}$

Knowing that the model must be continuous at $t=4$ and that at $6$ hours there are exactly $100$ thousand bacteria, determine the values of $a$ and $b$.

Solve
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The concentration of a drug in the bloodstream, $C(t)$ in mg/L, is modeled by the following absorption and elimination function:…

The concentration of a drug in the bloodstream, $C(t)$ in mg/L, is modeled by the following absorption and elimination function:

$C(t) = \begin{cases} \frac{A t}{t^2+4} & \text{if } 0 \le t \le 2 \\ B e^{-0.5t} & \text{if } t > 2 \end{cases}$

Knowing that the function is continuous and that at $t=2$ the maximum concentration of $5$ mg/L is reached, calculate the exact values of $A$ and $B$. What happens to the concentration in the long term ($\lim_{t \to \infty} C(t)$)?

Solve
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A progressive tax system is defined by the function $T(x)$, which represents the tax to be paid for a taxable base of $x$ dollars:…

A progressive tax system is defined by the function $T(x)$, which represents the tax to be paid for a taxable base of $x$ dollars:

$T(x) = \begin{cases} 0.15x & \text{if } 0 \le x \le 12000 \\ a + 0.25(x-12000) & \text{if } 12000 < x \le 30000 \\ b + 0.40(x-30000) & \text{if } x > 30000 \end{cases}$

Calculate $a$ and $b$ so that the tax function is continuous (i.e. there are no sudden jumps in tax payment when changing brackets).

Solve

Summary

See all the exercises in this section