Removable discontinuity solution

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SUMMARY

The discussion centers on identifying removable discontinuities in mathematical functions, particularly through piecewise functions. A removable discontinuity occurs when the limit of a function as it approaches a point exists, but does not equal the function's value at that point. The three criteria for continuity at a point c are: f(c) must be defined, the limit as x approaches c must exist, and the limit must equal f(c). The participants clarify that if the left-hand limit and right-hand limit are not equal, the discontinuity is not removable.

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Problem statement
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I know it is discontinuous if the right hand limit doesn't equals the left hand limit? Is that correct?
The other criteria are
If f(c) exists, lim f(x) x--> c exists and lim f(x)=f(c)

I don't really understand what the other criteria mean? Also how will I tell from the piecewise function if it is removable?

For the graph question number 24 I know the points of discontinuity are the open holes however how do I know if it's removable?

Any help would be appreciated!
 
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Removable means that there's a hole in the graph, as opposed to a break as you would find in a piecewise graph. Removable discontinuities have a hole at a place, and then they're discontinuous immediately to the left and right. They have the missing value (filled in dot) somewhere above or below the hole.
 
grace77 said:
I know it is discontinuous if the right hand limit doesn't equals the left hand limit? Is that correct?
The other criteria are
If f(c) exists, lim f(x) x--> c exists and lim f(x)=f(c)

I don't really understand what the other criteria mean?
For a function to be continuous at a point c, three conditions must be met:
1) f(c) is defined.
The left graph in my attachment shows an example of a graph where f(c) is NOT defined.
2) lim_{x \rightarrow c} f(x) exists.
The middle graph shows an example of a graph where f(c) is defined, but the limit at x = c does not exist.
3) lim_{x \rightarrow c} f(x) = f(c)
The right graph shows an example of a graph where f(c) is defined and the limit at x = c exists, but lim f(x) does not equal f(c).

Hope this helps.
 

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eumyang said:
For a function to be continuous at a point c, three conditions must be met:

1) f(c) is defined.

The left graph in my attachment shows an example of a graph where f(c) is NOT defined.

2) lim_{x \rightarrow c} f(x) exists.

The middle graph shows an example of a graph where f(c) is defined, but the limit at x = c does not exist.

3) lim_{x \rightarrow c} f(x) = f(c)

The right graph shows an example of a graph where f(c) is defined and the limit at x = c exists, but lim f(x) does not equal f(c).
Hope this helps.
Oh I understand it now. But how can that be used towards how to do those questions? How would I start?
 
Here's a good criteria to use:

If lim_{x \rightarrow c} exists and lim_{x \rightarrow c} \neq f(c), then there's a hole at c.

If lim_{x \rightarrow c} doesn't exist, but f(c) does exist, then there's a break, as in a piece wise graph that breaks between portions of the domain.
 
jackarms said:
Here's a good criteria to use:

If lim_{x \rightarrow c} exists and lim_{x \rightarrow c} \neq f(c), then there's a hole at c.

If lim_{x \rightarrow c} doesn't exist, but f(c) does exist, then there's a break, as in a piece wise graph that breaks between portions of the domain.
I understand that thank you but how can I use that to solve the question?
 
Just apply those formulas to the graphs where there are holes. For example, in 23, there's a discontinuity at x = 0, and in that case the limit exists (f(x) approaches 0 from both sides), but what the graph approaches doesn't equal what the function equals -- i.e. limit approaching c doesn't equal f(c), so then it's a removable discontinuity.
 
jackarms said:
Just apply those formulas to the graphs where there are holes. For example, in 23, there's a discontinuity at x = 0, and in that case the limit exists (f(x) approaches 0 from both sides), but what the graph approaches doesn't equal what the function equals -- i.e. limit approaching c doesn't equal f(c), so then it's a removable discontinuity.
Ok thank you how do I do that using a piecewise function without a graph though?
 
jackarms said:
Just apply those formulas to the graphs where there are holes. For example, in 23, there's a discontinuity at x = 0, and in that case the limit exists (f(x) approaches 0 from both sides), but what the graph approaches doesn't equal what the function equals -- i.e. limit approaching c doesn't equal f(c), so then it's a removable discontinuity.
Is it that if the 2 sided limits are different then it is not removable?
 
  • #10
Yeah, if the left and right limits aren't equal, then it can't be removable.
 

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