What is the value of c that makes f(x) continuous on the entire real line?

In summary, to determine the value of c so that f(x) is continuous on the entire real line, we need to choose a value that makes the function continuous at x=3. This can be done by making sure that the left and right limits as x approaches 3 are equal to the value of the function at 3. Therefore, the value of c that makes f(x) continuous on the entire real line is c=9.
  • #1
hotrocks007
10
0
Determine the value of c so that f(x) is continuous on the entire real line if

f(x)={ x^2, x<_3 (less than or equal to)
{ c/x, x>3

I've been trying by just guess and check, but I have absolutely NO idea!
Please help!
 
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  • #2
hotrocks007 said:
Determine the value of c so that f(x) is continuous on the entire real line if

f(x)={ x^2, x<_3 (less than or equal to)
{ c/x, x>3

I've been trying by just guess and check, but I have absolutely NO idea!
Please help!
Choose c so that
[tex]\lim_{x\rightarrow 3^-}f(x)=\lim_{x\rightarrow 3^+}f(x)=f(3)[/tex]
 
  • #3


To determine the value of c, we need to make sure that the function is continuous at the point x=3. This means that the limit of the function as x approaches 3 from both the left and the right must be equal. In other words, the left and right limits must "meet" at x=3.

Taking the left limit, we have:

lim x→3- f(x) = lim x→3- x^2 = 3^2 = 9

Taking the right limit, we have:

lim x→3+ f(x) = lim x→3+ c/x = c/3

For the function to be continuous at x=3, these two limits must be equal. Therefore, we can set them equal to each other and solve for c:

9 = c/3

c = 27

So, the value of c that makes f(x) continuous on the entire real line is 27.
 

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