Is the Function Differentiable and Continuous Based on Its Derivative?

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Homework Help Overview

The discussion revolves around the differentiability and continuity of a function based on its derivative, specifically examining the implications of a limit definition for the derivative at a point.

Discussion Character

  • Conceptual clarification, Assumption checking

Approaches and Questions Raised

  • Participants explore the relationship between differentiability and continuity, questioning whether the conditions provided in the limit definition imply continuity and differentiability at a specific point. Some participants express uncertainty about the continuity of the derivative.

Discussion Status

The discussion is active, with participants providing counterexamples and clarifications regarding the continuity of derivatives. There is no explicit consensus on the implications of differentiability on the continuity of the derivative, and various interpretations of the limit definition are being examined.

Contextual Notes

There are discussions about the proper notation for limits and the implications of piecewise functions, particularly concerning the behavior of functions at specific points like zero.

UrbanXrisis
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let f be a function such that [tex]lim_{ h->x} \frac{f(2+h)-f(2)}{h} = 5[/tex]

Which of the following must be true?

I. f is continuous at x=2.
II. F is differentiable at x=2.
III. The derivative of f is continuous at x=2.

I know (I) is true because it can be differentiated
I know that (II) is ture to because the derivative was found so it can be differentiable.
I don't know if III is true because the it doesn't tell me the limit of f'(x)

are these correct?
 
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That isn't the limit definition for a derivative unless x = 0, or maybe you typed it in wrong.
 
UrbanXrisis said:
let f be a function such that [tex]lim_{ h->0} \frac{f(2+h)-f(2)}{h} = 5[/tex]

Which of the following must be true?

I. f is continuous at x=2.
II. F is differentiable at x=2.
III. The derivative of f is continuous at x=2.

I know (I) is true because it can be differentiated.I know that (II) is ture to because the derivative was found so it can be differentiable.
I don't know if (III) is true because the it doesn't tell me the limit of f'(x)

are these correct?

It's okay...At least,for me...I edited your typo and advise u to use the code

\lim_{...} for the limit and \rightarrow for the "->"...

Daniel.
 
UrbanXrisis said:
let f be a function such that [tex]lim_{ h->x} \frac{f(2+h)-f(2)}{h} = 5[/tex]

Which of the following must be true?

I. f is continuous at x=2.
II. F is differentiable at x=2.
III. The derivative of f is continuous at x=2.
I think this must be:

[tex]\lim_{h\rightarrow{0}} \frac{f(2+h)-f(2)}{h} = 5[/tex] (ie. 0, not x)

I know (I) is true because it can be differentiated
I agree, with one caveat: We don't know the domain of h. If h can be positive or negative, f would be differentiable at 2 and, therefore, continous.

I know that (II) is ture to because the derivative was found so it can be differentiable.
True, subject to the above.
I don't know if III is true because the it doesn't tell me the limit of f'(x)
I think that if a function f(x) is differentiable at x, its derivative must be continuous at x.

AM
 
Andrew Mason said:
I think that if a function f(x) is differentiable at x, its derivative must be continuous at x.
AM

Not true. Counterexample: Let f(x) = x2sin(1/x) for x != 0, and f(x) = 0 when x = 0. Then f is differentiable at zero, but the derivative is not continuous at 0.
 
hypermorphism said:
Not true. Counterexample: Let f(x) = x2sin(1/x) for x != 0, and f(x) = 0 when x = 0. Then f is differentiable at zero, but the derivative is not continuous at 0.

wait, you just said that x!=0, how can "f(x) = 0 when x = 0" when you just said x can't equal zero?
 
UrbanXrisis said:
wait, you just said that x!=0, how can "f(x) = 0 when x = 0" when you just said x can't equal zero?

This is a piecewise function. f(x) has one rule when x is not zero (!=0), and another rule when x=0.
 
UrbanXrisis said:
wait, you just said that x!=0, how can "f(x) = 0 when x = 0" when you just said x can't equal zero?

No, he didn't say that. He said that as long as x is NOT 0, you define
f(x) to be x2 sin(1/x) (which obviously can't be correct for x=0) but that if x IS 0, f(0)= 0.
 

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