How to Find Continuity at a Point?

At the basic level, teachers tend to describe continuous functions as continuous functions whose diagrams can be traced without taking a pencil. While it is generally true that continuous functions have such graphs, this is not a very precise or practical way to define continuity. Many graphs and functions are continuous or connected in some places and discontinuous or broken in others. There are even functions that have so many variables that they cannot be plotted by hand. Therefore, we need a more precise definition of continuity, one that does not rely on our ability to graph and trace a function.

Related Topics

• How to Remove Discontinuities

Step by step guide to finding continuity at a point

A function is continuous at \(x = a\) in calculus if – and only if – all three of the following requirements are satisfied:

1. The function is defined at \(x = a\), which means that \(f(a)\) is a real integer.
2. As \(x\) approaches a, there is a function limit.
3. As \(x \)approaches and function’s limit equals the value of the function at \(x = a\).

Finding Continuity at a Point – Example 1:

Is \(f(x)=\frac{x^2-x-2}{x+1}\) continuous at \(x=3\)?

First, check if the function is defined at \(x=3\):

\(f(3)=\frac{3^2-3-2}{3+1}\)

\(f(3)=\frac{9-3-2}{4}=\frac{4}{4}\)

\(f(3)=1\)

Then, check the one-sided limits:

\(lim_{x\to 3^+}\frac{x^2-x-2}{x+1}=\frac{3^2-3-2}{3+1}=1\)

\(lim_{x\to 3^-}\frac{x^2-x-2}{x+1}=\frac{3^2-3-2}{3+1}=1\)

Since the one-sided limits agree, the limit exists. Since the limit is equal to the value of the function, the function is continuous at \(x = 3\).

Finding Continuity at a Point – Example 2:

Is \(f\left(x\right)=e^{-x^2}\) continuous at \(x=0\)?

First, check if the function is defined at \(x=0\):

\(f(0)=\) \(e^{-0^2}\) \(=1\)

Then, check the one-sided limits:

\(lim _{x\to 0^+}\left(e^{-x^2}\right)= \left(e^{-0^2}\right)=1\)

\(lim _{x\to 0^-}\left(e^{-x^2}\right)= \left(e^{-0^2}\right)=1\)

Since the one-sided limits agree, the limit exists. Since the limit is equal to the value of the function, the function is continuous at \(x = 0\).

Exercises for Finding Continuity at a Point

In the following examples, determine whether the functions are continuous or not?

1. \(\color{blue}{f(x)=\frac{x^2+3x-10}{x-2}, x=2}\)
2. \(\color{blue}{f(x)=\frac{2x-6}{x-3}, x=3}\)
3. \(\color{blue}{f(x)=\frac{(x^2-4)}{(x-2)}, x=2}\)

1. The function is discontinuous at \(x = 2\).
2. The function is continuous at \(x=3\).
3. The function is discontinuous at \(x = 2\).