Discontinuous/Continuous Functions

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Homework Help Overview

The discussion revolves around the continuity of a piecewise function defined differently for values less than and greater than or equal to x=1. The original poster is exploring the limits of the function as x approaches 1 from both sides.

Discussion Character

  • Exploratory, Conceptual clarification, Mathematical reasoning

Approaches and Questions Raised

  • The original poster attempts to evaluate the limits of the function as x approaches 1 from both sides, questioning the validity of their reasoning regarding the behavior of the sine function at infinity.

Discussion Status

Participants are engaging in a back-and-forth regarding the limits and the behavior of the sine function. Some guidance has been provided regarding the properties of sine, and there is an acknowledgment of the original poster's reasoning about the limits approaching zero.

Contextual Notes

The original poster indicates that this is for exam preparation rather than a formal homework assignment, suggesting a focus on understanding rather than completing an assigned task.

happysmiles36
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Homework Statement



Is the function continuous at x=1?

f(x) =
When x is less than 1:
[tex](x-1)^2sin(\frac{1}{x-1})[/tex]
When x is greater or equal to 1:
[tex]xsin(πx)[/tex]

Homework Equations


None

The Attempt at a Solution


The answer is yes, don't know how to show that, this isn't homework just studying for exams >.<.[tex] \lim_{x\rightarrow 1+} {xsin(πx)} = 0[/tex]
----------------------------------
[tex] \lim_{x\rightarrow 1-} {(x-1)^2sin(\frac{1}{x-1})}[/tex]

Here I used:
[tex] \lim_{x\rightarrow 0} {\frac{sin(x)}{x}} = 1[/tex]
But I don't think you can do this, so I don't know how else to solve this.

[tex] \lim_{x\rightarrow 1-} {(x-1)} * \lim_{x\rightarrow 0} {\frac{sin(\frac{1}{x-1})}{\frac {1}{x-1}}} = 0 * 1 = 0[/tex]

Help explaining how to do this question would be helpful.:)
 
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You can't do that, but there is a really simple trick. What are the maximum and minimum values you can have for sin(x)? Are they finite or infinite?
 
jz92wjaz said:
You can't do that, but there is a really simple trick. What are the maximum and minimum values you can have for sin(x)? Are they finite or infinite?
Sin(x) goes between 1 and -1 and it oscillates to infinity and negative infinity.

I ended up thinking that as the limit approaches 1 from the left side,
(x-1)^2 becomes 0 and sin(1/(x-1)) becomes sin(-infinity), so it will be 0 * a number between 1 and -1, and that results in a 0. Is this valid? because sin (-infinity) is undefined, so I don't know if this would be correct or is there a way to show this without the sin being undefined.
 
Last edited:
It's correct. When dealing with limits, a finite number multiplied by zero is still zero, even if you don't know exactly what the finite number is.
 
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Thanks :)
 
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