Q.If a function defined by π(π₯) = { ππ₯ + 1, π₯ β€ π cos π₯ , π₯ > π is continuous at π₯ = π, then the value of π is
(A) π
(B) β1 π
(C) 0
(D) β2 π
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π Start your 14-day free trial to unlock the full solution βConcept understanding β Continuity At A Point
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 β 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,
- xβalimβf(x) exists (left- and right-hand limits are equal),
- xβalimβf(x)=f(a).
Condition 1 says a is in the domain β the pen must have somewhere to land. Condition 2 says the curve approaches a single value from both sides β no jump. Condition 3 says that common approach value actually matches the function's value at a β no misplaced point.
Why All Three Are Needed
f(x)=xβ1x2β1β has limxβ1βf(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)=β©β¨β§βx+13x+1βx<2x=2x>2β
Here f(2)=3, both one-sided limits equal 3, and they match f(2) β 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 β 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 β¦
Concept: Continuity At A Point β A function is continuous at x=Ο if the left-hand limit, right-hand limit, and f(Ο) are all equal.
Step 1: For xβ€Ο, f(x)=kx+1, so
f(Ο)=kΟ+1 and limxβΟββf(x)=kΟ+1.
Step 2: For x>Ο, f(x)=cosx, so
limxβΟ+βf(x)=cosΟ=β1.
Step 3: Continuity at x=Ο requires β¦
For a function to be continuous at a point, the left-hand limit, right-hand limit, and the function's value at that point must all be equal. Here, equating the two one-sided limits at x=Ο gives k=βΟ2β, which corresponds to option (D).
The idea of continuity at a point is beautifully simple: a function is continuous at x=a if you can draw its graph through that point without lifting your pen. More formally, three things must match β the function's value at a, the limit as you approach from the left, and the limit as you approach from the right. If any one of these is different, there's a break, a jump, or a hole.
Here, the function is defined in two pieces, meeting at x=Ο. The left piece is kx+1 (a straight line), and the right piece is cosx (a wavy curve). For continuity at the seam, the line must exactly meet the curve at x=Ο.
Let's work through it step by step.
- Find the left-hand limit as xβΟβ. For xβ€Ο, the function is f(x)=kx+1. So as we approach Ο from values slightly less than Ο, we use this expression:
limxβΟββf(x)=limxβΟββ(kx+1)=kΟ+1.
- Find the right-hand limit as xβΟ+. For x>Ο, the function is f(x)=cosx. Approaching Ο from the right, we get:
limxβΟ+βf(x)=limxβΟ+βcosx=cosΟ.
And cosΟ=β1. So the right-hand limit is β1.
- Find the function's value at x=Ο. Since the definition says f(x)=kx+1 for xβ€Ο, the point x=Ο itself belongs to the left piece. So:
f(Ο)=kΟ+1.
- Apply the continuity condition. For continuity at x=Ο, we need: limxβΟββf(x)=limxβΟ+βf(x)=f(Ο). β¦
Method: Solving for an Unknown in a Piecewise Function Using the Continuity Condition
This method applies to any problem where a piecewise function has an unknown constant, and you're told the function is continuous at the point where the pieces meet β you then find the constant.
Steps
Step 1: Identify the pieces and the junction point
Write down which formula applies just left of the junction and which applies just right of it, and note carefully which side includes the equality (e.g. xβ€a vs. x<a) β that tells you which piece actually defines f(a).
Step 2: Compute the one-sided limits at the junction
For a piece built from standard continuous functions (polynomials, trig functions, exponentials), the one-sided limit equals direct substitution of the junction value into that piece:
limxβaββf(x)=(leftΒ pieceΒ evaluatedΒ atΒ a),limxβa+βf(x)=(rightΒ pieceΒ evaluatedΒ atΒ a).
Step 3: Apply the continuity condition
Continuity at a requires all three of f(a), the left-hand limit, and the right-hand limit to agree. Since the piece containing the equality already supplies f(a) and matches its own one-sided limit automatically, the real content of the condition is usually just: β¦
Common Mistakes
Mistake 1: Evaluating cosΟ incorrectly
Some students recall cos0=1 and mistakenly carry that value over, writing cosΟ=1 instead of cosΟ=β1. Why it's wrong: cosΟ is a distinct standard value (the angle Ο radians points in the opposite direction on the unit circle). Correct approach: memorize the standard values cos0=1,cos(Ο/2)=0,cosΟ=β1 precisely, or sketch the cosine curve to check the sign at Ο.
Mistake 2: Using the wrong piece to evaluate f(a) at the junction β¦
Showing the 12 most recent of 32 on this concept.
- AP EAPCET 2026Set eng-2026-05-14-FN1 markMCQQ.If f(x)=β©β¨β§β(Οβx)22+cosxββ1β,k,βxξ =Οx=Οβ is continuous at x=Ο, then k= (A) 1 (B) 21β (C) 2 (D) 41β
βΊReveal solutionSolution
Continuity at x=Ο requires k to equal the limit of the given expression as xβΟ; using a small-angle substitution, that limit is 41β.
Concept and Intuition
For f to be continuous at x=Ο, we need k=xβΟlimβ(Οβx)22+cosxββ1β. Substituting x=Οβh (so hβ0 as xβΟ) converts the trig limit into a small-h approximation problem, where standard expansions (coshβ1βh2/2, 1+tββ1+t/2) make the limit easy to evaluate.
Step-by-Step Solution
- Let x=Οβh, so as xβΟ, hβ0, and Οβx=h.
- cosx=cos(Οβh)=βcosh.
- So 2+cosx=2βcosh. Using coshβ1β2h2β for small h: 2βcoshβ2β1+2h2β=1+2h2β.
- 2+cosxββ1+2h2βββ1+4h2β (using 1+tββ1+t/2 with t=h2/2).
- So 2+cosxββ1β4h2β.
- The denominator is (Οβx)2=h2. β¦
- AP EAPCET 2026Set eng-2026-05-18-FN1 markMCQQ.If f(x) defined by f(x)=β©β¨β§β4xβΟ1βtanxβ,k,βxξ =4Οβ,xβ[0,2Οβ]x=4Οββ is continuous in [0,2Οβ], then k= (A) β1 (B) β21β (C) 21β (D) 1
βΊReveal solutionSolution
Substituting x=Ο/4+h and using the tangent subtraction identity, the limit of
4xβΟ1βtanxβ as xβΟ/4 works out to β21β, which is the required
value of k.
Concept and Intuition
For continuity at x=Ο/4, we need k=limxβΟ/4βf(x). Since the expression is 0/0
at x=Ο/4, shifting variables via x=Ο/4+h (so hβ0) turns tanx into
tan(Ο/4+h), which has a clean expansion using the tangent-addition formula.
Step-by-Step Solution
- Let x=4Οβ+h, so hβ0 as xβΟ/4.
- tan(4Οβ+h)=1βtanh1+tanhβ.
- 1βtanx=1β1βtanh1+tanhβ=1βtanh(1βtanh)β(1+tanh)β=1βtanhβ2tanhβ
- 4xβΟ=4(4Οβ+h)βΟ=4h.
- So
f(x)=4h(1βtanh)β2tanhβ
- As hβ0, tanhβΌh, so β¦
- AP EAPCET 2023Set eng-2023-05-16-FN1 markMCQQ.If f(x)=β©β¨β§βx+1βΟββcosβ1xββ,Ξ»Οβ1β,βxξ =β1x=β1β is right continuous at x=β1, then Ξ»= (A) 1 (B) Ο (C) 2Ο (D) 2
βΊReveal solutionSolution
Expanding cosβ1(β1+h) near h=0+ and simplifying the resulting 0/0 form gives the right-hand limit 1/2Οβ; matching this to f(β1)=1/Ξ»Οβ gives Ξ»=2.
Concept and Intuition
Right continuity at x=β1 requires limxββ1+βf(x)=f(β1). As xββ1+, both Οββcosβ1xββ0 and x+1ββ0, so we need a careful local expansion of cosβ1x near x=β1.
Step-by-Step Solution
- Let x=β1+h, hβ0+. Write cosβ1(β1+h)=ΟβΞΈ where ΞΈβ0+. Then cos(ΟβΞΈ)=βcosΞΈ=β1+hβcosΞΈ=1βh.
- For small ΞΈ: cosΞΈβ1βΞΈ2/2, so 1βΞΈ2/2β1βhβΞΈβ2hβ.
- So cosβ1xβΟβ2hβ, and cosβ1xββΟβ1β2hβ/ΟββΟβ(1β2Ο2hββ)=Οββ2Οβ2hββ.
- So Οββcosβ1xββ2Οβ2hββ. β¦
- AP EAPCET 2024Set eng-2024-05-23-FN1 markMCQQ.If f(x)=β©β¨β§βa+xββaβxβa2βax+x2ββx2+ax+a2ββ,K,βxξ =0x=0β is continuous at x=0, then K= (A) βaβ (B) aβ (C) β1 (D) a+aβ
βΊReveal 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 βaβ.
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)=a2βax+x2ββa2+ax+x2β. Multiply and divide by the conjugate:
N(x)=a2βax+x2β+a2+ax+x2β(a2βax+x2)β(a2+ax+x2)β=a2βax+x2β+a2+ax+x2ββ2axβ
- Let D(x)=a+xββaβxβ. Similarly,
D(x)=a+xβ+aβxβ(a+x)β(aβx)β=a+xβ+aβxβ2xβ
- So f(x)=D(x)N(x)β=a2βax+x2β+a2+ax+x2ββ2axβΓ2xa+xβ+aβxββ. β¦
- AP EAPCET 2021Set eng-2021-08-23-AN1 markMCQQ.If the function f(x), defined below, is continuous everywhere, then 'k' equals ______ f(x)=β©β¨β§β1+xββ12xβ1β,k,ββ1β€x<β,xξ =0x=0β (A) 21βlogeβ2 (B) logeβ4 (C) logeβ8 (D) logeβ2
βΊReveal solutionSolution
Continuity at x=0 requires k to equal the limit of f(x) as xβ0, which works out to ln4 using standard small-x approximations.
Concept and Intuition
For f to be continuous at x=0, we need xβ0limβf(x)=f(0)=k. Both numerator and denominator vanish as xβ0 (this is a 0/0 form), so we use the standard first-order approximations 2xβ1βxln2 and 1+xββ1βx/2 near x=0.
Step-by-Step Solution
- Numerator: 2xβ1=exln2β1βxln2 for small x.
- Denominator: 1+xββ1=(1+x)1/2β1β2xβ for small x (binomial expansion).
- So xβ0limβ1+xββ12xβ1β=xβ0limβx/2xln2β=2ln2. β¦
- AP EAPCET 2024Set eng-2024-05-18-FN1 markMCQQ.f(x)=β©β¨β§βx+1(2x2βax+1)β(ax2+3bx+2)β,k,βifΒ xξ =β1ifΒ x=β1β is a real valued function. If a,b,kβR and f is continuous on R then k= (A) β31β (B) 6 (C) aβ2 (D) aβ3
βΊReveal 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=aβ3.
Concept and Intuition
A rational expression x+1N(x)β can only have a finite limit as xββ1 if N(β1)=0 (otherwise the limit is Β±β 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: (2x2βax+1)β(ax2+3bx+2)=(2βa)x2β(a+3b)xβ1.
- At x=β1: (2βa)(1)+(a+3b)β1=1+3b. For the limit (hence continuity) to exist finitely, this must be 0: b=β31β.
- With b=β1/3, numerator becomes (2βa)x2β(aβ1)xβ1.
- Factor out (x+1): writing (2βa)x2β(aβ1)xβ1=(x+1)[(2βa)xβ1] (verified by expansion, matching all coefficients). β¦
- AP EAPCET 2026Set eng-2026-05-15-FN1 markMCQQ.If f(x)=x2cos4xβ1β, xξ =0 and f(0)=2 is a real valued function, then (A) xβ0limβf(x) does not exist (B) xβ0limβf(x)=1 (C) f is not continuous at x = 0 (D) f is continuous at x = 0
βΊReveal solutionSolution
This tests factoring cos4xβ1 and using the standard limit xsinxββ1; the limit exists and equals β2, but f(0)=2, so f fails continuity at 0.
Concept and Intuition
cos4xβ1 factors as a difference of squares twice: cos4xβ1=(cos2xβ1)(cos2x+1)=βsin2x(cos2x+1). This lets us isolate the familiar (xsinxβ)2β1 building block.
Step-by-Step Solution
- cos4xβ1=(cos2xβ1)(cos2x+1)=βsin2x(cos2x+1).
- f(x)=x2βsin2x(cos2x+1)β=β(xsinxβ)2(cos2x+1).
- As xβ0: (xsinxβ)2β1 and cos2x+1β2.
- So xβ0limβf(x)=β1Γ2=β2 β this limit exists (rules out (A)) and is not 1 (rules out (B)). β¦
- AP EAPCET 2025Set eng-2025-05-23-AN1 markMCQQ.If a real valued function f(x)=β©β¨β§β(1+sinx)cosecx,a,ae2/x+be3/xe2/x+e3/xβ,ββΟ/2<x<0x=00<x<Ο/2β is continuous at x = 0, then ab= (A) e (B) e2 (C) 1 (D) β1
βΊReveal solutionSolution
The left-hand limit is the classical 1β form giving e, fixing a=e;
the right-hand limit needs dividing by the dominant exponential to fix b.
Continuity forces both, and ab=1.
Concept and Intuition
A piecewise function is continuous at a point only if the left-hand limit,
right-hand limit, and the function's value there all agree. Here the left
piece is a 1β indeterminate form (standard trick: exponentiate and use
log(1+u)βΌu), and the right piece is a ratio of two exponentials growing at
different rates as xβ0+ (since 1/xβ+β), so the faster-growing
exponential e3/x dominates and everything else becomes negligible after
dividing through by it.
Step-by-Step Solution
- Left limit: L=limxβ0ββ(1+sinx)cosecx. Take logs: logL=limcosecxβ log(1+sinx)=limsinxsinxβ(1+O(sinx))β1. So L=e. Continuity requires f(0)=a=L=e.
- Right limit: R=limxβ0+βae2/x+be3/xe2/x+e3/xβ. Divide numerator and denominator by e3/x: R=limxβ0+βaeβ1/x+beβ1/x+1β. β¦
- AP EAPCET 2021Set eng-2021-08-19-FN1 markMCQQ.f(x)=β©β¨β§β2ββ1+cosxβ72xβ9xβ8x+1β,klog2log3,βxξ =0x=0β Find the value of 'k' for which the function f is continuous. (A) 2β (B) 24 (C) 183β (D) 242β
βΊReveal solutionSolution
Factoring the numerator as (9xβ1)(8xβ1) and expanding the denominator via 1+cosx=2cos2(x/2) gives the limit 242βln2ln3, so k=242β.
Concept and Intuition
Both numerator and denominator vanish as xβ0 β a 0/0 form best handled by recognizing the standard small-x approximations axβ1βxloga and 1βcosΞΈβΞΈ2/2, rather than repeated L'HΓ΄pital. Spotting that 72=9Γ8 lets the numerator factor neatly, turning a messy expression into a clean product of two standard limits.
Step-by-Step Solution
- Since 72=9Γ8: 72xβ9xβ8x+1=9x8xβ9xβ8x+1=(9xβ1)(8xβ1).
- As xβ0: 9xβ1βΌxln9, 8xβ1βΌxln8, so numerator βΌx2ln9ln8.
- 1+cosx=2cos2(x/2), so 1+cosxβ=2βcos(x/2) (for small x).
- Denominator =2ββ2βcos(x/2)=2β(1βcos2xβ)βΌ2ββ 2(x/2)2β=82βx2β.
- Limit =2βx2/8x2ln9ln8β=2β8ln9ln8β. β¦
- AP EAPCET 2023Set eng-2023-05-15-FN1 markMCQQ.If f:RβR defined by f(x)=β©β¨β§βxsinxβsin2xββ,x3/2x2+xββxββ,βx<0x>0β is continuous on R, then f(0)= (A) 1/2 (B) 3/2 (C) 1 (D) β1
βΊReveal solutionSolution
This tests continuity of a piecewise function at the junction point using standard small-x approximations; both one-sided limits equal 1/2.
Concept and Intuition
A piecewise function is continuous at a boundary point only if the left-hand limit, right-hand limit, and the defined value at that point all agree. Here f(0) isn't given directly by either branch (both blow up as 0/0), so we must compute the limits from each side and set f(0) equal to their common value.
Step-by-Step Solution
- Left-hand limit (xβ0β):
limxβ0ββxsinxβsin(x/2)β
Use the small-angle expansion sint=tβ6t3β+β―:
sinxβsin2xβ=(xβ6x3β)β(2xββ48x3β)+β―=2xβ+O(x3)
Dividing by x: the limit is 21β.
- Right-hand limit (xβ0+):
limxβ0+βx3/2x2+xββxββ=limxβ0+βx3/2xβ(x+1ββ1)β=limxβ0+βxx+1ββ1β
Using 1+xββ1+2xββ8x2β+β―:
xx+1ββ1ββxx/2β=21β β¦
- AP EAPCET 2022Set eng-2022-07-06-FN1 markMCQQ.If f(x)=log(1+Ο2β4Οx+4x2)(1βsinx)β is continuous at x=Ο/2, then f(Ο/2)= (A) 41β (B) 81β (C) 161β (D) 321β
βΊReveal solutionSolution
Recognising 1+Ο2β4Οx+4x2 as 1+(2xβΟ)2 turns this into a small-angle limit; the continuity value is 1/8.
Concept and Intuition
For f to be continuous at x=Ο/2, f(Ο/2) must equal limxβΟ/2βf(x). The denominator's quadratic in x is a perfect "sum-of-squares" shift once you notice Ο2β4Οx+4x2=(2xβΟ)2, turning this into a standard small-t limit using 1βcostβt2/2 and log(1+u)βu.
Step-by-Step Solution
- Rewrite the denominator: 1+Ο2β4Οx+4x2=1+(2xβΟ)2.
- Let t=xβΟ/2, so xβΟ/2βΊtβ0, and 2xβΟ=2t.
- Numerator: 1βsinx=1βsin(Ο/2+t)=1βcost. For small t, 1βcostβ2t2β.
- Denominator: log(1+(2t)2)=log(1+4t2)β4t2 for small t (since log(1+u)βu). β¦
- AP EAPCET 2025Set eng-2025-05-27-FN1 markMCQQ.If the function f defined by f(x)=β©β¨β§βx21βcos4xβ,a,16+xβββ4xββ,βx<0x=0x>0β is continuous at x=0, then a= (A) 1 (B) 2 (C) 4 (D) 8
βΊReveal solutionSolution
Continuity at x=0 requires the left limit, the right limit, and f(0)=a to all agree; both one-sided limits work out to 8. Answer: a=8.
Concept and Intuition
For a piecewise function to be continuous at a junction point, the value defined there (a) must equal both the limit approaching from the left and the limit approaching from the right. Each side here needs a standard trick: the trig side uses the double-angle identity 1βcosΞΈ=2sin2(ΞΈ/2), and the surd side needs rationalisation to remove the Β ββΒ β indeterminate form.
Step-by-Step Solution
- Left-hand limit (xβ0β): 1βcos4x=2sin2(2x), so
limxβ0ββx21βcos4xβ=limxβ0ββx22sin2(2x)β=2limxβ0β(2xsin2xβ)2β 4=2β 1β 4=8.
- Right-hand limit (xβ0+): rationalise 16+xβββ4xββ by multiplying top and bottom by 16+xββ+4: (16+xβ)β16xβ(16+xββ+4)β=xβxβ(16+xββ+4)β=16+xββ+4. β¦
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