Removable discontinuity solution

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Homework Help Overview

The discussion revolves around the concept of removable discontinuities in functions, particularly in relation to piecewise functions and their graphical representations. Participants are exploring the criteria that define removable discontinuities and how to identify them from given functions or graphs.

Discussion Character

  • Conceptual clarification, Assumption checking, Problem interpretation

Approaches and Questions Raised

  • Participants are attempting to understand the definition of removable discontinuities and the conditions under which they occur. There are questions about the implications of limits and function values at points of discontinuity, as well as how to apply these concepts to piecewise functions without graphical aids.

Discussion Status

Some participants have provided criteria for identifying removable discontinuities, such as the relationship between limits and function values. There is an ongoing exploration of how to apply these criteria to specific examples, with participants seeking clarification on the application of these concepts in different contexts.

Contextual Notes

Participants are discussing the definitions and conditions for continuity and discontinuity, particularly focusing on the nuances of removable versus non-removable discontinuities. There is an emphasis on understanding the graphical representation of these concepts, which may not be available in all cases.

grace77
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Problem statement
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Attempt at a solution
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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