Prove differentiable implies continuous at x=xo

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Homework Help Overview

The discussion revolves around proving that if a function f is differentiable at a point x=xo, then it is also continuous at that point, using epsilon and delta notation.

Discussion Character

  • Conceptual clarification, Mathematical reasoning

Approaches and Questions Raised

  • The original poster attempts to manipulate the inequality involving the function's values and its derivative to establish continuity. Some participants suggest redefining epsilon to facilitate the proof.

Discussion Status

Participants are exploring various approaches to connect differentiability and continuity, with some guidance offered on rethinking epsilon. There is an ongoing examination of how to eliminate certain terms from the inequalities presented.

Contextual Notes

The original poster expresses urgency due to an impending deadline for the problem, indicating a potential constraint on the discussion's depth.

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1. Prove f is differentiable at x=xo implies f is continuous at x=xo using epsilon and delta notation.

2. I have gotten this far:
absolute value(f(x)-f(xo)) <= absolute value(x-xo)*(epsilon + absolute value(f '(xo)))

<= means less than or equal to.


3. I need to get here:
absolute value(f(x)-f(xo)) <= epsilon

Could someone please help me? I think I have just looked at this problem for so long that I am missing the obvious. This problem is due tomorrow. So any help before then would be greatly apprieciated
 
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In terms of epsilon and delta the definition of a derivative is:

<br /> \left|\frac{f(x)-f(x_{0})}{x-x_{0}}-f&#039;(x_{0})\right| &lt;\varepsilon \quad |x-x_{0}|&lt;\delta<br />

Which means that:

<br /> (-\varepsilon +f&#039;(x_{0})(x-x_{0})&lt;f(x)-f(x_{0})&lt;(\varepsilon +f&#039;(x_{0})(x-x_{0})<br />

Not it is a matter of redefining your epsilon.
 
but I need to get rid of the f'(x) and the (x-x0). How do I do that?
 
if f'(x_0) is a fixed value, epsilon is small and then x-x_0 is small the f(x)-f(x_o) is between two very small numbers, so come up with a new epsilon
 

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