Chapter 5: Continuity (Sheet 1)

Definitions & Fundamental Properties

1. Definitions of Continuity

Continuity at a Point $$c$$ $$\lim_{x \to c^-} f(x) = \lim_{x \to c^+} f(x) = f(c)$$
Continuity in Open Interval $$(a, b)$$ Function is continuous at every point in $$(a, b)$$
Continuity in Closed Interval $$[a, b]$$ Continuous on $$(a, b)$$AND$$\lim_{x \to a^+} f(x) = f(a)$$AND$$\lim_{x \to b^-} f(x) = f(b)$$

2. Algebra of Continuous Functions

Let $$f$$and$$g$$be continuous functions at$$x = c$$.

Sum Property $$f + g$$is continuous at$$x = c$$
Difference Property $$f – g$$is continuous at$$x = c$$
Product Property $$f \cdot g$$is continuous at$$x = c$$
Scalar Multiplication $$k \cdot f$$is continuous at$$x = c$$(where$$k$$ is a constant)
Quotient Property $$\frac{f}{g}$$is continuous at$$x = c$$(Provided$$g(c) \neq 0$$)
Composition Property If $$g$$is continuous at$$c$$and$$f$$is continuous at$$g(c)$$, then $$fog$$is continuous at$$c$$

3. Differentiability Definitions

Derivative at a Point $$c$$ $$f'(c) = \lim_{x \to c} \frac{f(x) – f(c)}{x – c}$$
Left Hand Derivative (LHD) $$LHD = \lim_{x \to c^-} \frac{f(x) – f(c)}{x – c}$$
Right Hand Derivative (RHD) $$RHD = \lim_{x \to c^+} \frac{f(x) – f(c)}{x – c}$$
Existence Condition $$LHD = RHD = \text{Finite Value}$$

4. Properties of Differentiability

Fundamental Theorem If $$f$$is differentiable at$$c$$$$\Rightarrow$$$$f$$is continuous at$$c$$
Converse Property If $$f$$is continuous, it is NOT necessarily differentiable (e.g.,$$|x|$$at$$0$$)