Functions Limits and Continuity


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Introduction

     The concept of limits leads to define and describe continuity and derivative of the function. The continuity of a function has practical as well as theoretical importance. We plot graphs by taking the values generated in the laboratory or collected in the field. We connect the plotted points with a smooth and unbroken curve (continuous curve). This continuous curve helps as to estimate the values at the places where we haven't measured. It was developed by Isaac Newton and Leibnitz.

Real Functions and their Graphs

     Functions: f is a function from set A to a set B if each element x in A can be associated with a unique element in B.

     Domain: In the above definition of the function, set A is called domain.

     Co-Domain: In the above definition of the function, set B is called co-domain.

     Real Function: A real valued function f : A to B or simply a real function 'f ' is a rule which associates to each possible real number xA, a unique real number f(x)B, when A and B are subsets of R, the set of real numbers.

     Value of a Function: If 'f ' is a function and x is an element in the domain of f, then image f(x) of x under f is called the value of 'f ' at x.

     Types of Function and their Graphs: Constant function, Identity function, Polynomial function, Modulus function, Square root function, Greatest integer function or Step function (Floor function), Smallest integer function (Ceiling function), Exponential function, Logarithmic function, Trigonometric functions, Inverse functions, Signum functions, Odd function, Even function, Reciprocal function.

Operation on Real Functions

     The following are the Operation on Real Functions: Sum Function, Difference Function, Product Function, Quotient Function, Scalar Multiplication Function, Composite Functions, Inverse Functions.

Limits

     Left Hand Limit: Let f(x) tend to a limit l1 as x tends to a through values less than 'a', then l1 is called the left hand limit.

     Right Hand Limit: Let f(x) tend to a limit l2 as x tends to 'a' through values greater than 'a', then l2 is called the right hand limit.

     We say that limit of f(x) exists at x = a, if l1 and l2 are both finite and equal.

Limits (Contd....)

     Limits of Trigonometric Functions and Sandwich Theorem:

for all x in some open interval containing c and suppose

Since f is sandwiched between two functions g and h, the above theorem is known as sandwich theorem.

Limits (Contd....)

     Limits at infinity:
If x is a variable such that it can take any real value how much ever

     If x is a variable such that it can take any real value how much ever

     The two important properties of these one-sided limits that
i) If the left hand limit and right hand limit of a function at a point exists, but are not equal, then we conclude that the limit at that point does not exist.
ii) If LHL and RHL of a function at a point (say a) exist and they are equal, we conclude that limit at that point exists and we write

Continuity at a Point

     1. We say that f(x) is continuous if f(x) is continuous at every point in its domain.

     2. If f and g are two continuous functions then f + g, f - g, fg are continuous functions.

     3. Every polynomial function is continuous.

     4. Every rational function is continuous at each point of its domain.

     5. Composition of two continuous functions is continuous.

Summary

      Every polynomial is continuous. Every rational function is continuous.

Conclusion

      In this chapter, we have studied various types of functions and their graphs. The use of graphs also facilitate the study of domain and range of functions.



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