Let \( [P] \) denote the greatest integer \( \leq P \). If \( 0 \leq a \leq 2 \), then the number of integral values of \( a \) such that \( \lim_{x \to a} [x^2] - [x]^2 \) does not exist is:
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When dealing with the greatest integer function, check for discontinuities at integer points, as the greatest integer function is not continuous at integers.
We are asked to find the number of integral values of \( a \) such that the limit \( \lim_{x \to a} [x^2] - [x]^2 \) does not exist.
Step 1: The expression \( [x^2] - [x]^2 \) involves the greatest integer function. The limit does not exist when there is a discontinuity in the greatest integer function near \( a \). We examine the behavior of the function near integer points.
Step 2: Check the points where the limit does not exist. These occur when \( a \) is an integer, and the values of \( [x^2] \) and \( [x]^2 \) have different behavior at these points.
Step 3: The limit does not exist at two specific values of \( a \), giving us the number of integral values of \( a \) as 2.
Thus, the number of integral values of \( a \) is 2.