Write out each step of the 3-step test for continuity for the following functions at the given point. If the function is discontinuous, state the type of discontinuity

Write out each step of the 3step test for continuity for the following functions at the given point If the function is discontinuous state the type of discontin class=

Respuesta :

If we simply substitute the value x=2 in the expression we have

[tex]f(2) = \dfrac{4-12+8}{4-2-2} = \dfrac{0}{0}[/tex]

which is undefined.

But if we factor both numerator and denominator, we have

[tex]f(x)=\dfrac{x^2-6x+8}{x^2-x-2} = \dfrac{(x-2)(x-4)}{(x+1)(x-2)}[/tex]

Since we are studying the limit as x approaches 2, we can assume that x is not 2. In this case, we can simplify the (x-2) parenthesis, and the expression becomes

[tex]f(x)=\dfrac{x-4}{x+1}[/tex]

And we can evaluate this at 2 with no problems:

[tex]f(2) = \dfrac{2-4}{2+1} = -\dfrac{2}{3}[/tex]

So, we have

[tex]\displaystyle \lim_{x\to 2}f(x) = -\dfrac{2}{3}[/tex]

This means that in this case both left and right limits exist and are the same, so the limit exists, but the function is not defined at x=2. This is a removable discontinuity, because we can define the function as its limit, and we have a continuous function at x=2:

[tex]f(x) = \begin{cases}\dfrac{x^2-6x+8}{x^2-x-2} &\text{if }x \neq 2\\ -\frac{2}{3} &\text{if }x = 2\end{cases}[/tex]