Continuity of arctan x / x at 0.

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SUMMARY

The discussion centers on the continuity and differentiability of the function f defined as f(x) for x ≠ 0 and f(0) = 1. It is established that f is continuous at x = 0, allowing the limit of the derivative f'(x) as x approaches 0 to be taken. The conclusion reached is that f'(0) equals 0, confirming that differentiating f(x) before evaluating the limit does not violate any mathematical rules.

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Homework Statement


f:R->R is defined as f(x) when x[itex]\neq 0[/itex], and 1 when x=0.

Find f'(0).




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The Attempt at a Solution


Since I can prove that f is continuous at x=0, does that allow me to take the the limit of f'(x) as x-> 0, which is 0? It is quite easy to see that the correct answer must be f'(0)=0, but do i break any rules if I first differentiate f(x) and then look at the limit as x-> 0?

Thanks!
 
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Just use lim(h→0) (f(x+h)-f(x))/h
 

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