Q.Check the points where the constant function f(x)=k is continuous.
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Continuity at a Point
Imagine drawing the graph of a function and putting your pen down at x=a. If the function is continuous there, you can draw straight through that point without lifting your pen — no jump, no hole, no break. That is the intuition; here is the precision.
The Three-Condition Test
For f(x) to be continuous at x=a, all three must hold. If even one fails, f is discontinuous there.
Continuity at x=a requires:
- f(a) is defined,
- x→alimf(x) exists (left- and right-hand limits are equal),
- x→alimf(x)=f(a).
Condition 1 says a is in the domain — the pen must have somewhere to land. Condition 2 says the curve approaches a single value from both sides — no jump. Condition 3 says that common approach value actually matches the function's value at a — no misplaced point.
Why All Three Are Needed
f(x)=x−1x2−1 has limx→1f(x)=2, yet f(1) is undefined (zero denominator). Condition 1 fails, leaving a hole at (1,2).
A piecewise function shows the opposite can be fine:
f(x)=⎩⎨⎧x+13x+1x<2x=2x>2
Here f(2)=3, both one-sided limits equal 3, and they match f(2) — so all three hold and f is continuous at x=2.
Common Pitfalls
"Limit exists" does not mean "continuous." The hole example has a limit but no continuity — the limit must equal the function value.
"Defined everywhere" does not mean "continuous." A piecewise function can have a value at every point and still jump. Always check the one-sided limits.
A Quick Check …
The key idea is that a constant function does not change — its value is the same at every point, so the limit at any point equals the function value there.
Step 1: For any c in the domain (all real numbers), the function value is f(c)=k.
Step 2: The limit as x approaches c is limx→cf(x)=limx→ck=k. …
A constant function f(x)=k is continuous at every real number x=a because the limit as x→a always equals the function value k, regardless of a. So it is continuous on the entire real line R.
The Core Idea: Continuity at a Point
Before we check any specific point, let's recall what continuity means at a single point x=a. A function f is continuous at a if three things hold:
- f(a) is defined (the function has a value at a).
- limx→af(x) exists.
- limx→af(x)=f(a).
The third condition is the one that usually causes trouble. For most functions, you have to check whether the left-hand limit and right-hand limit match, and then whether they match the function's value.
But here, the function is f(x)=k. It's the simplest possible function — it outputs the same number k no matter what x you plug in. This simplicity is the key.
Step-by-Step Reasoning
Let's pick an arbitrary point x=a on the real number line. We'll check the three conditions.
1. Is f(a) defined?
Yes. f(a)=k. The function is defined for every real a, so this condition is satisfied for any a you choose.
2. Does limx→af(x) exist?
We need to see what happens to f(x) as x gets arbitrarily close to a, from either side.
Since f(x)=k for every x, as x approaches a from the left (x→a−), the function value is always k. So the left-hand limit is:
limx→a−f(x)=limx→a−k=k
Similarly, as x approaches a from the right (x→a+), the function value is still k. So the right-hand limit is:
limx→a+f(x)=limx→a+k=k
Both one-sided limits exist and are equal to k. Therefore, the two-sided limit exists and is also k:
limx→af(x)=k
For a constant function, the limit as x→a is always just the constant itself. You don't even need to think about left vs. right — the function doesn't change, so the limit is trivial.
3. Does limx→af(x)=f(a)? …
Method: Proving a Function Is Continuous at an Arbitrary Point
This method proves continuity not at one numerical point but at every point of the domain, by picking an arbitrary point, applying the continuity conditions symbolically, and noting the argument never depended on which point was chosen.
Steps
Step 1: Let the point be an arbitrary, unspecified value
Instead of substituting a number, let the test point be a general symbol (commonly a or c), standing for "any real number."
Step 2: Evaluate the function value symbolically
Write f(a) using the function's rule, treating a as fixed but unspecified.
Step 3: Compute the limit symbolically
limx→af(x) …
Showing the 12 most recent of 32 on this concept.
- AP EAPCET 2021Set eng-2021-08-23-AN1 markMCQQ.If the function f(x), defined below, is continuous everywhere, then 'k' equals ______ f(x)=⎩⎨⎧1+x−12x−1,k,−1≤x<∞,x=0x=0 (A) 21loge2 (B) loge4 (C) loge8 (D) loge2
›Reveal solutionSolution
Continuity at x=0 requires k to equal the limit of f(x) as x→0, which works out to ln4 using standard small-x approximations.
Concept and Intuition
For f to be continuous at x=0, we need x→0limf(x)=f(0)=k. Both numerator and denominator vanish as x→0 (this is a 0/0 form), so we use the standard first-order approximations 2x−1≈xln2 and 1+x−1≈x/2 near x=0.
Step-by-Step Solution
- Numerator: 2x−1=exln2−1≈xln2 for small x.
- Denominator: 1+x−1=(1+x)1/2−1≈2x for small x (binomial expansion).
- So x→0lim1+x−12x−1=x→0limx/2xln2=2ln2. …
- AP EAPCET 2026Set eng-2026-05-15-AN1 markMCQQ.If f(x)=⎩⎨⎧(2+5x22+3x2)x28+3,k,for x=0for x=0 is a continuous function at x=0, then k= (A) e−2 (B) e−4 (C) e−8 (D) e−16
›Reveal solutionSolution
This tests the standard 1∞ exponential limit technique. Taking logs and expanding to first order in x2 gives k=e−8.
Concept and Intuition
Expressions of the form (base →1)power→∞ are evaluated by writing L=elim(power)⋅log(base) and expanding log(1+u)≈u for the small quantity u= base−1. The constant added to the exponent (here +3) never survives, since it multiplies a term that itself →0.
Step-by-Step Solution
- For continuity at x=0: k=limx→0(2+5x22+3x2)8/x2+3.
- Let L denote this limit. Then logL=limx→0(x28+3)log(2+5x22+3x2).
- Write the base as 1+u where u=2+5x22+3x2−1=2+5x2−2x2≈−x2 for small x (to leading order).
- log(1+u)≈u≈−x2 for small x. …
- AP EAPCET 2026Set eng-2026-05-18-FN1 markMCQQ.If f(x) defined by f(x)=⎩⎨⎧4x−π1−tanx,k,x=4π,x∈[0,2π]x=4π is continuous in [0,2π], then k= (A) −1 (B) −21 (C) 21 (D) 1
›Reveal solutionSolution
Substituting x=π/4+h and using the tangent subtraction identity, the limit of
4x−π1−tanx as x→π/4 works out to −21, which is the required
value of k.
Concept and Intuition
For continuity at x=π/4, we need k=limx→π/4f(x). Since the expression is 0/0
at x=π/4, shifting variables via x=π/4+h (so h→0) turns tanx into
tan(π/4+h), which has a clean expansion using the tangent-addition formula.
Step-by-Step Solution
- Let x=4π+h, so h→0 as x→π/4.
- tan(4π+h)=1−tanh1+tanh.
- 1−tanx=1−1−tanh1+tanh=1−tanh(1−tanh)−(1+tanh)=1−tanh−2tanh
- 4x−π=4(4π+h)−π=4h.
- So
f(x)=4h(1−tanh)−2tanh
- As h→0, tanh∼h, so …
- AP EAPCET 2026Set eng-2026-05-14-FN1 markMCQQ.If f(x)=⎩⎨⎧(π−x)22+cosx−1,k,x=πx=π is continuous at x=π, then k= (A) 1 (B) 21 (C) 2 (D) 41
›Reveal solutionSolution
Continuity at x=π requires k to equal the limit of the given expression as x→π; using a small-angle substitution, that limit is 41.
Concept and Intuition
For f to be continuous at x=π, we need k=x→πlim(π−x)22+cosx−1. Substituting x=π−h (so h→0 as x→π) converts the trig limit into a small-h approximation problem, where standard expansions (cosh≈1−h2/2, 1+t≈1+t/2) make the limit easy to evaluate.
Step-by-Step Solution
- Let x=π−h, so as x→π, h→0, and π−x=h.
- cosx=cos(π−h)=−cosh.
- So 2+cosx=2−cosh. Using cosh≈1−2h2 for small h: 2−cosh≈2−1+2h2=1+2h2.
- 2+cosx≈1+2h2≈1+4h2 (using 1+t≈1+t/2 with t=h2/2).
- So 2+cosx−1≈4h2.
- The denominator is (π−x)2=h2. …
- AP EAPCET 2024Set eng-2024-05-23-FN1 markMCQQ.If f(x)=⎩⎨⎧a+x−a−xa2−ax+x2−x2+ax+a2,K,x=0x=0 is continuous at x=0, then K= (A) −a (B) a (C) −1 (D) a+a
›Reveal solutionSolution
This is a 0/0 form at x=0; rationalizing both the numerator and denominator turns it into a clean limit that evaluates to −a.
Concept and Intuition
Whenever both numerator and denominator vanish at the point of interest, multiplying each by its conjugate surd converts the difference-of-square-roots into a simple polynomial difference, which then cancels the common factor causing the indeterminacy.
Step-by-Step Solution
- Let N(x)=a2−ax+x2−a2+ax+x2. Multiply and divide by the conjugate:
N(x)=a2−ax+x2+a2+ax+x2(a2−ax+x2)−(a2+ax+x2)=a2−ax+x2+a2+ax+x2−2ax
- Let D(x)=a+x−a−x. Similarly,
D(x)=a+x+a−x(a+x)−(a−x)=a+x+a−x2x
- So f(x)=D(x)N(x)=a2−ax+x2+a2+ax+x2−2ax×2xa+x+a−x. …
- AP EAPCET 2021Set eng-2021-08-19-FN1 markMCQQ.f(x)=⎩⎨⎧2−1+cosx72x−9x−8x+1,klog2log3,x=0x=0 Find the value of 'k' for which the function f is continuous. (A) 2 (B) 24 (C) 183 (D) 242
›Reveal solutionSolution
Factoring the numerator as (9x−1)(8x−1) and expanding the denominator via 1+cosx=2cos2(x/2) gives the limit 242ln2ln3, so k=242.
Concept and Intuition
Both numerator and denominator vanish as x→0 — a 0/0 form best handled by recognizing the standard small-x approximations ax−1≈xloga and 1−cosθ≈θ2/2, rather than repeated L'Hôpital. Spotting that 72=9×8 lets the numerator factor neatly, turning a messy expression into a clean product of two standard limits.
Step-by-Step Solution
- Since 72=9×8: 72x−9x−8x+1=9x8x−9x−8x+1=(9x−1)(8x−1).
- As x→0: 9x−1∼xln9, 8x−1∼xln8, so numerator ∼x2ln9ln8.
- 1+cosx=2cos2(x/2), so 1+cosx=2cos(x/2) (for small x).
- Denominator =2−2cos(x/2)=2(1−cos2x)∼2⋅2(x/2)2=82x2.
- Limit =2x2/8x2ln9ln8=28ln9ln8. …
- AP EAPCET 2024Set eng-2024-05-18-FN1 markMCQQ.f(x)=⎩⎨⎧x+1(2x2−ax+1)−(ax2+3bx+2),k,if x=−1if x=−1 is a real valued function. If a,b,k∈R and f is continuous on R then k= (A) −31 (B) 6 (C) a−2 (D) a−3
›Reveal solutionSolution
Continuity at the removable-type point requires the numerator to vanish there (fixing b) and then simplifying the quotient to evaluate k as a limit. The answer is k=a−3.
Concept and Intuition
A rational expression x+1N(x) can only have a finite limit as x→−1 if N(−1)=0 (otherwise the limit is ±∞ and no choice of k can make f continuous there). So the first job is to use that vanishing condition to pin down any free constant, then simplify by cancelling the common factor.
Step-by-Step Solution
- Numerator: (2x2−ax+1)−(ax2+3bx+2)=(2−a)x2−(a+3b)x−1.
- At x=−1: (2−a)(1)+(a+3b)−1=1+3b. For the limit (hence continuity) to exist finitely, this must be 0: b=−31.
- With b=−1/3, numerator becomes (2−a)x2−(a−1)x−1.
- Factor out (x+1): writing (2−a)x2−(a−1)x−1=(x+1)[(2−a)x−1] (verified by expansion, matching all coefficients). …
- AP EAPCET 2024Set eng-2024-05-22-FN1 markMCQQ.Let f(x)=⎩⎨⎧0,2−x,2,21−x,2−3,x=0for 0<x<1for x=1for 1<x<2for x≥2 then which of the following is true (A) f is right continuous at x=0 (B) f is left continuous at x=1 (C) f is right continuous at x=1 (D) f is continuous at x=2
›Reveal solutionSolution
Compute the left-hand limit, right-hand limit, and function value at each candidate point and compare; only at x=2 do all three coincide.
Concept and Intuition
A function is continuous at a point if the left-hand limit, right-hand limit, and the function's value there all agree. "Right continuous" only needs the right-hand limit to equal the function value; "left continuous" only needs the left-hand limit to match.
Step-by-Step Solution
- At x=0: f(0)=0. Right-hand limit: limx→0+(2−x)=2. Since 2=0, f is not right continuous at 0 — (A) is false.
- At x=1: f(1)=2. Left-hand limit: limx→1−(2−x)=1. Since 1=2, not left continuous — (B) is false. Right-hand limit: limx→1+(21−x)=−21. Since −21=2, not right continuous either — (C) is false. …
- AP EAPCET 2026Set eng-2026-05-15-FN1 markMCQQ.If f(x)=⎩⎨⎧2−xx2−4,a,log(x−2),for x<2for x=2for x>2 is a real valued function and 'a' is a finite real number, then (A) f is continuous at x = 2 when a = 0 (B) f is left continuous at x = 2 when a = 0 (C) f is right continuous at x = 2 when a = log 2 (D) f is not continuous at x = 1
›Reveal solutionSolution
This tests one-sided limits at a piecewise junction; the left-hand limit at x=2 is 0 while the right-hand limit diverges to −∞, so option (B) is the only correct statement.
Concept and Intuition
For left continuity at x=2 we only need limx→2−f(x)=f(2); the behaviour on the other side is irrelevant. Since log(x−2)→−∞ as x→2+, no finite value of a can make f right-continuous or fully continuous at x=2 — so those statements must be false.
Step-by-Step Solution
- Left-hand limit: let x=2−h, h→0+. Then x2−4=(2−h)2−4=h2−4h=h(h−4) and 2−x=h.
- So 2−xx2−4=hh(h−4)=h(h−4)→0⋅(−4)=0.
- Left continuity at x=2 requires f(2)=a to equal this limit, i.e. a=0. So (B) is true.
- Right-hand limit: as x→2+, x−2→0+, so log(x−2)→−∞ — unbounded, so no finite a (in particular a=log2) can match it. So (C) is false, and (A) (needing both sides equal) is also false. …
- AP EAPCET 2024Set eng-2024-05-21-AN1 markMCQQ.If the function f(x)=x1+x−1 is continuous at x=0 then f(0)= (A) −21 (B) 31 (C) 21 (D) −31
›Reveal solutionSolution
Rationalizing the numerator turns the 0/0 form into a simple limit, which must equal f(0) for continuity.
Concept and Intuition
For f to be continuous at x=0, we need f(0)=x→0limf(x). Since the given formula for f(x) is 0/0 at x=0, we must simplify it algebraically first.
Step-by-Step Solution
- x1+x−1=x(1+x+1)(1+x−1)(1+x+1)=x(1+x+1)(1+x)−1=x(1+x+1)x=1+x+11.
- As x→0: 1+11=21. …
- AP EAPCET 2026Set eng-2026-05-15-FN1 markMCQQ.If f(x)=x2cos4x−1, x=0 and f(0)=2 is a real valued function, then (A) x→0limf(x) does not exist (B) x→0limf(x)=1 (C) f is not continuous at x = 0 (D) f is continuous at x = 0
›Reveal solutionSolution
This tests factoring cos4x−1 and using the standard limit xsinx→1; the limit exists and equals −2, but f(0)=2, so f fails continuity at 0.
Concept and Intuition
cos4x−1 factors as a difference of squares twice: cos4x−1=(cos2x−1)(cos2x+1)=−sin2x(cos2x+1). This lets us isolate the familiar (xsinx)2→1 building block.
Step-by-Step Solution
- cos4x−1=(cos2x−1)(cos2x+1)=−sin2x(cos2x+1).
- f(x)=x2−sin2x(cos2x+1)=−(xsinx)2(cos2x+1).
- As x→0: (xsinx)2→1 and cos2x+1→2.
- So x→0limf(x)=−1×2=−2 — this limit exists (rules out (A)) and is not 1 (rules out (B)). …
- AP EAPCET 2021Set eng-2021-08-20-AN1 markMCQQ.If f(x)=sinx3loge(1+x2(tanx)), x=0 is to be continuous at x=0, then f(0) must be equal to ______ (A) 1 (B) 0 (C) 21 (D) −1
›Reveal solutionSolution
Using the small-angle equivalences loge(1+u)∼u, tanx∼x, and sinx3∼x3 near x=0, the limit of f(x) works out to 1, so f(0)=1 is required for continuity.
Concept and Intuition
For a function to be continuous at a removable-looking point like x=0, its value there must be defined equal to the limit of the function as x→0. Standard small-x equivalences (loge(1+u)∼u for small u; tanx∼x; sinx∼x) let us evaluate the 00-type limit cleanly.
Step-by-Step Solution
- As x→0, let u=x2tanx. Since tanx∼x for small x, u∼x2⋅x=x3→0.
- Using loge(1+u)∼u for small u: loge(1+x2tanx)∼x2tanx∼x3.
- For the denominator, sin(x3)∼x3 as x→0 (since sinθ∼θ for small θ, here θ=x3→0).
- So f(x)=sin(x3)loge(1+x2tanx)→x3x3=1 as x→0. …
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