Question:

Is the function f defined by

\[f(x) =   \begin{cases}     x,      & \quad \text{if } n{\leq1}\\    5,  & \quad \text{if } n{ >1}   \end{cases}\]

continuous at x=0? At x=1? At x=2?

Updated On: Aug 29, 2023
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Solution and Explanation

The given function f is \(f(x) =   \begin{cases}     x,      & \quad \text{if } n{\leq1}\\    5  & \quad \text{if } n{ >1}   \end{cases}\)
At x = 0, 
It is evident that f is defined at 0 and its value at 0 is 0.
Then, \(\lim\limits_{x \to 0}\) f(x) = \(\lim\limits_{x \to 0}\) x = 0
\(\lim\limits_{x \to 0}\) f(x) = f(0)

Therefore, f is continuous at x = 0 
At x = 1,
f is defined at 1 and its value at 1 is 1.
The left hand limit of f at x=1 is,
\(\lim\limits_{x \to 1^-}\) f(x) = \(\lim\limits_{x \to 1^-}\)x=1
The right hand limit of f at x = 1 is,
\(\lim\limits_{x \to 1^+}\) f(x) = \(\lim\limits_{x \to 1^+}\)+(5) = 5
\(\lim\limits_{x \to 1^-}\) f(x) ≠ \(\lim\limits_{x \to 1^+}\)f(x)

Therefore, f is not continuous at x = 1

At x = 2,
f is defined at 2 and its value at 2 is 5
Then, \(\lim\limits_{x \to 2}\) f(x) = \(\lim\limits_{x \to 2}\) (5) = 5
\(\lim\limits_{x \to 2}\) f(x) = f(2)

Therefore, f is continuous at x=2

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Concepts Used:

Continuity

A function is said to be continuous at a point x = a,  if

limx→a

f(x) Exists, and

limx→a

f(x) = f(a)

It implies that if the left hand limit (L.H.L), right hand limit (R.H.L) and the value of the function at x=a exists and these parameters are equal to each other, then the function f is said to be continuous at x=a.

If the function is undefined or does not exist, then we say that the function is discontinuous.

Conditions for continuity of a function: For any function to be continuous, it must meet the following conditions:

  • The function f(x) specified at x = a, is continuous only if f(a) belongs to real number.
  • The limit of the function as x approaches a, exists.
  • The limit of the function as x approaches a, must be equal to the function value at x = a.