Investigating Continuity of $f(x)

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Discussion Overview

The discussion centers on the continuity of the function $f(x) = \left\{\begin{array}{rcl}\sqrt{x}\cos\left(\frac{1}{x}\right)&\text{if}&x\neq 0\\0 &\text{if}&x=0\end{array}\right.$ at the point x = 0. Participants explore the behavior of the function as x approaches 0, considering limits and oscillatory behavior.

Discussion Character

  • Debate/contested

Main Points Raised

  • Some participants argue that the function is not continuous at 0 because the left-hand limit does not exist.
  • Others point out that as x approaches 0, the cosine term oscillates between -1 and 1, while the limit of $\sqrt{x}$ approaches 0, suggesting that the limit of the product $\sqrt{x}\cos\left(\frac{1}{x}\right)$ also approaches 0.
  • A participant asserts that the function is continuous from the right at zero, but questions the continuity overall due to the domain restrictions on negative numbers.

Areas of Agreement / Disagreement

Participants do not reach a consensus on the continuity of the function at 0, with multiple competing views regarding the behavior of the limits and the implications of the function's domain.

Contextual Notes

There are unresolved considerations regarding the behavior of the function as x approaches 0 from both sides and the implications of the domain on continuity.

alexmahone
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Is the function

$f(x) = \left\{\begin{array}{rcl}\sqrt{x}\cos\left(\frac{1}{x}\right)&\text{if}&x\neq 0\\0 &\text{if}&x=0\end{array}\right.$

continuous at 0?

My answer is no, because the left hand limit does not exist. Am I right?
 
Last edited:
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Alexmahone said:
Is the function

$f(x) = \left\{\begin{array}{rcl}\sqrt{x}\cos\left(\frac{1}{x}\right)&\text{if}&x\neq 0\\0 &\text{if}&x=0\end{array}\right.$

continuous at 0?

My answer is no, because the left hand limit does not exist. Am I right?

1. \cos\left(\frac1x\right) is oscillating between -1 and 1 if x approaches zero.

2. \lim_{x \to 0}(\sqrt{x}) = 0

3. Therefore
\lim_{x \to 0} \left(\sqrt{x}\cos\left(\frac{1}{x}\right) \right) = 0
 
earboth said:
1. \cos\left(\frac1x\right) is oscillating between -1 and 1 if x approaches zero.

2. \lim_{x \to 0}(\sqrt{x}) = 0

3. Therefore
\lim_{x \to 0} \left(\sqrt{x}\cos\left(\frac{1}{x}\right) \right) = 0

Thanks, but you didn't answer my question. I asked if the function is continuous at 0.
 
It is continuous from the right at zero. But, since the negative numbers are not in the domain (I'm assuming you're talking about a real-valued function only), it cannot be fully continuous at zero.
 

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