# 5.12 Continuous function  (Page 2/6)

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## Continuity at a point

The requirement of continuity is that there should not be abrupt change in function value when there is small change in independent variable. We can enforce this requirement if we can determine x-values in its immediate neighborhood in the domain of function for smallest change in the function values. Mathematically, we say that a function is continuous at a point x=a, if there is small change in function such that $|f\left(x\right)-f\left(a\right)|<\delta$ , then independent variable “x” varies in its immediate neighborhood such that $|x-a|<\in$ , where δ and ∈are arbitrarily chosen small positive numbers.

Condition of continuity is expressed in terms of definition of various limits. Note that limit approaches a value when independent variable comes very close to a point where continuity is being checked. If limit approaches very close to the function value at a point, then it is guaranteed that there exists a value of independent variable in its immediate neighborhood. This fulfills the requirement of continuity as explained in previous paragraph.

For the sake of understanding the requirement of continuity, let us consider identity function, which is known to be continuous in its domain.

$f\left(x\right)=x$

Let us consider a test point, x=1. Here, both left and right limit exist and is equal to 1. As such limit of function exists and is equal to 1, which is equal to the function value. As a matter of fact, these observations underline the requirement of continuity at a point. The conditions for continuity at a point in the domain of function are :

1: Limit of function exits at the point.

2: Limit of function is equal to function value at that point.

Mathematically,

$\underset{x->a-}{\overset{}{\mathrm{lim}}}f\left(x\right)=\underset{x->a+}{\overset{}{\mathrm{lim}}}f\left(x\right)=\underset{x->a}{\overset{}{\mathrm{lim}}}f\left(x\right)=f\left(a\right)$

One important aspect of the requirement is that we test continuity at a finite real value of x, having finite function value. Hence, it is implicitly implied that limit of function should evaluate to a finite function value.

## Continuity from left

A function is continuous from left at x=a when left limit exists at x=a and is equal to function value at that point.

$\underset{x>a-}{\overset{}{\mathrm{lim}}}f\left(x\right)=f\left(a\right)$

## Continuity from right

A function is continuous from right at x=a when right limit exists at x=a and is equal to function value at that point.

$\underset{x>a+}{\overset{}{\mathrm{lim}}}f\left(x\right)={L}_{r}$

## Continuity .vs. limit

The condition of continuity given above appears to be same as that of limit, which is defined as :

$\underset{x->a-}{\overset{}{\mathrm{lim}}}f\left(x\right)=\underset{x->a+}{\overset{}{\mathrm{lim}}}f\left(x\right)=\underset{x->a}{\overset{}{\mathrm{lim}}}f\left(x\right)=L$

However, there is one differentiating aspect. The limit need not evaluate to function value as required for continuity. It means continuity of function has stricter requirement than that of the existence of limit. To understand this point, we consider a variant of modulus function as given here,

| x ; x>0 f(x) = | 1 ; x=0| -x ; x<0

Clearly, limit exists and is equal to zero, but function value is 1 at x=0. Thus, limit is finite, but not equal to function value. As such, given function is not continuous at x=0. The important point to note is that existence of limit or function value at a point is a necessary condition, but not a sufficient condition for continuity. Both the conditions as enumerated should be fulfilled. The concept of continuity, therefore, is a stricter property of a function with respect to limit.

what does nano mean?
nano basically means 10^(-9). nanometer is a unit to measure length.
Bharti
do you think it's worthwhile in the long term to study the effects and possibilities of nanotechnology on viral treatment?
absolutely yes
Daniel
how to know photocatalytic properties of tio2 nanoparticles...what to do now
it is a goid question and i want to know the answer as well
Maciej
Abigail
for teaching engĺish at school how nano technology help us
Anassong
Do somebody tell me a best nano engineering book for beginners?
what is fullerene does it is used to make bukky balls
are you nano engineer ?
s.
fullerene is a bucky ball aka Carbon 60 molecule. It was name by the architect Fuller. He design the geodesic dome. it resembles a soccer ball.
Tarell
what is the actual application of fullerenes nowadays?
Damian
That is a great question Damian. best way to answer that question is to Google it. there are hundreds of applications for buck minister fullerenes, from medical to aerospace. you can also find plenty of research papers that will give you great detail on the potential applications of fullerenes.
Tarell
what is the Synthesis, properties,and applications of carbon nano chemistry
Mostly, they use nano carbon for electronics and for materials to be strengthened.
Virgil
is Bucky paper clear?
CYNTHIA
so some one know about replacing silicon atom with phosphorous in semiconductors device?
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Harper
Do you know which machine is used to that process?
s.
how to fabricate graphene ink ?
for screen printed electrodes ?
SUYASH
What is lattice structure?
of graphene you mean?
Ebrahim
or in general
Ebrahim
in general
s.
Graphene has a hexagonal structure
tahir
On having this app for quite a bit time, Haven't realised there's a chat room in it.
Cied
what is biological synthesis of nanoparticles
what's the easiest and fastest way to the synthesize AgNP?
China
Cied
types of nano material
I start with an easy one. carbon nanotubes woven into a long filament like a string
Porter
many many of nanotubes
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what is the function of carbon nanotubes?
Cesar
I'm interested in nanotube
Uday
what is nanomaterials​ and their applications of sensors.
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preparation of nanomaterial
how did you get the value of 2000N.What calculations are needed to arrive at it
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What is power set
Period of sin^6 3x+ cos^6 3x
Period of sin^6 3x+ cos^6 3x