Calculus Question on Removable Discontinuity

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SUMMARY

The discussion focuses on identifying and resolving removable discontinuities in calculus, specifically through the evaluation of limits. The key equations involve finding the limit as x approaches 0 for the expression \(\frac{4}{x} + \frac{-x + 16}{x(x - 4)}\). The solution requires combining the fractions and simplifying to determine the limit, which is necessary to redefine the function at the discontinuity point. The concept of removable discontinuity is clearly defined as a situation where the limit exists but does not equal the function's value at that point.

PREREQUISITES
  • Understanding of limits in calculus
  • Knowledge of combining fractions and finding common denominators
  • Familiarity with the concept of discontinuities in functions
  • Basic algebra skills for simplifying expressions
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  • Study the concept of limits in calculus, focusing on one-sided limits
  • Learn how to identify and resolve different types of discontinuities
  • Practice combining rational expressions and simplifying them
  • Explore the implications of redefining functions at points of discontinuity
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I don't entirely understand the question which is why I am posting it here. Anyways, from what the question is asking;we are trying to find the removable discontinuity. This would be plugging in x=0 into both equation and combining them. When this is applied to the first equation, the answer is 0. For the second one, it is 7. So, when the question asks me to combine them, I really don't know what to do with the values. Please Help! I would really appreciate it.
 
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The first expression doesn't give you 0 at x=0. It's undefined. Follow the suggestion and combine the fractions and simplify!
 
A function, f(x), has a "removable discontinuity" at x= a when \lim_{x\to a} f(x) exists but is NOT equal to f(a). You "remove" the discontinuity by redefining f(a) to be equal to \lim_{x\to a} f(x).

So for this problem, you need to determine what \lim_{x\to 0}\frac{4}{x}+ \frac{-x+ 16}{x(x- 4)} is and redefine f(0) to be that number. As the problem says, start by getting "common denominators" and adding the two fractions.
 

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