The function f(x) is defined at all points of the real line except x = 0. That is, f(0) is undefined, but lim x -> 0 sin x/x = 1. If we redefine the function f(x) as
h is defined at all points of the real line including x = 0. Moreover, h is continuous at x = 0 since
lim x -> 0 h(x) = lim x -> 0 (sin x / x) = 1 = h(0)
Note that h(x) = f(x) for all x ≠ 0. Even though the original function f(x) fails to be continuous at x = 0, the redefined function became continuous at 0.
That is, we could remove the discontinuity by redefining the function. Such discontinuous points are called removable discontinuities. This example leads us to have the following.
Definition of removable discontinuity :
A function f defined on an interval I ⊆ R is said to have removable discontinuity at x0 ∈ I if there is a function h :
I -> R such that h(x) =
Question 1 :
Which of the following functions f has a removable discontinuity at x = x0? If the discontinuity is removable, find a function g that agrees with f for x ≠ x0 and is continuous on R.
(i) f(x) = (x3 + 64)/(x + 4), x0 = -4
Solution :
In order to check if the given function is continuous at the point x0 = -4, let us apply -4
f(x) = ((-4)3 + 64)/(-4 + 4),
= (-64 + 64)/0
= 0/0
The given function is not continuous at x = -4. In order to redefine the function, we have to simplify f(x).
f(x) = (x + 4)(x2 - 4x + 16)/(x + 4)
f(x) = (x2 - 4x + 16)
f(-4) = ((-4)2 - 4(-4) + 16)
= 16 + 16 + 16
= 48
Hence it has removable discontinuity at x = -4. By redefining the function, we get
(iii) f(x) = (3 - √x)/(9 - x), x0 = 9
Solution :
In order to check if the given function is continuous at the point x0 = 9, let us apply 9
f(x) = (3 - √x)/(9 - x),
= (3 - √9)/(9 - 9)
= (3 – 3) / 0
= 0/0
The given function is not continuous at x = 9. In order to redefine the function, we have to simplify f(x).
f(x) = (3 - √x)/(32 – (√x)2)
f(x) = (3 - √x)/(3 + √x) (3 – √x)
= 1/(3 + √x)
f(9) = 1/(3 + √9)
= 1/(3 + 3)
= 1/6
Hence it has removable discontinuity at x = 9. By redefining the function, we get
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