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  1. AP Calculus
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How do you determine if f(x)=x2+2x+1f(x) = x^2 + 2x + 1f(x)=x2+2x+1 is continuous at x=1x = 1x=1?

  1. Check if f(1) is defined: f(1)=12+2(1)+1=4f(1) = 1^2 + 2(1) + 1 = 4f(1)=12+2(1)+1=4. 2) Find lim⁡x→1f(x)\lim_{x \to 1} f(x)limx→1​f(x): lim⁡x→1(x2+2x+1)=4\lim_{x \to 1} (x^2 + 2x + 1) = 4limx→1​(x2+2x+1)=4. 3) Check if lim⁡x→1f(x)=f(1)\lim_{x \to 1} f(x) = f(1)limx→1​f(x)=f(1): 4 = 4. Since all conditions are met, f(x) is continuous at x = 1.
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How do you determine if f(x)=x2+2x+1f(x) = x^2 + 2x + 1f(x)=x2+2x+1 is continuous at x=1x = 1x=1?

  1. Check if f(1) is defined: f(1)=12+2(1)+1=4f(1) = 1^2 + 2(1) + 1 = 4f(1)=12+2(1)+1=4. 2) Find lim⁡x→1f(x)\lim_{x \to 1} f(x)limx→1​f(x): lim⁡x→1(x2+2x+1)=4\lim_{x \to 1} (x^2 + 2x + 1) = 4limx→1​(x2+2x+1)=4. 3) Check if lim⁡x→1f(x)=f(1)\lim_{x \to 1} f(x) = f(1)limx→1​f(x)=f(1): 4 = 4. Since all conditions are met, f(x) is continuous at x = 1.

How do you determine if f(x)=1x−2f(x) = \frac{1}{x-2}f(x)=x−21​ is continuous at x=2x = 2x=2?

  1. Check if f(2) is defined: f(2)=12−2=10f(2) = \frac{1}{2-2} = \frac{1}{0}f(2)=2−21​=01​, which is undefined. Since f(2) is undefined, f(x) is discontinuous at x = 2.

How do you find the value of 'k' that makes f(x)={x+1,x<2kx,x≥2f(x) = \begin{cases} x + 1, & x < 2 \\ kx, & x \geq 2 \end{cases}f(x)={x+1,kx,​x<2x≥2​ continuous at x=2x = 2x=2?

  1. Find the left-hand limit: lim⁡x→2−(x+1)=3\lim_{x \to 2^-} (x + 1) = 3limx→2−​(x+1)=3. 2) Find the right-hand limit: lim⁡x→2+(kx)=2k\lim_{x \to 2^+} (kx) = 2klimx→2+​(kx)=2k. 3) Set the limits equal: 3 = 2k. 4) Solve for k: k=32k = \frac{3}{2}k=23​.

How to determine continuity of f(x)=∣x∣f(x) = |x|f(x)=∣x∣ at x=0x=0x=0?

  1. Check if f(0) is defined: f(0)=∣0∣=0f(0) = |0| = 0f(0)=∣0∣=0. 2) Find lim⁡x→0−f(x)=0\lim_{x \to 0^-} f(x) = 0limx→0−​f(x)=0 and lim⁡x→0+f(x)=0\lim_{x \to 0^+} f(x) = 0limx→0+​f(x)=0. Therefore, lim⁡x→0f(x)=0\lim_{x \to 0} f(x) = 0limx→0​f(x)=0. 3) Check if lim⁡x→0f(x)=f(0)\lim_{x \to 0} f(x) = f(0)limx→0​f(x)=f(0): 0 = 0. Since all conditions are met, f(x) is continuous at x = 0.

How to check continuity of f(x)=x2−1x−1f(x) = \frac{x^2 - 1}{x - 1}f(x)=x−1x2−1​ at x=1x = 1x=1?

  1. Check if f(1) is defined: f(1)=12−11−1=00f(1) = \frac{1^2 - 1}{1 - 1} = \frac{0}{0}f(1)=1−112−1​=00​, which is undefined. 2) Simplify the function: f(x)=(x−1)(x+1)x−1=x+1f(x) = \frac{(x-1)(x+1)}{x-1} = x + 1f(x)=x−1(x−1)(x+1)​=x+1 for x≠1x \neq 1x=1. 3) Find lim⁡x→1f(x)=lim⁡x→1(x+1)=2\lim_{x \to 1} f(x) = \lim_{x \to 1} (x+1) = 2limx→1​f(x)=limx→1​(x+1)=2. Since f(1) is undefined, f(x) is discontinuous at x = 1 (removable discontinuity).

How do you determine if a piecewise function is continuous at the point where the definition changes?

  1. Evaluate the function at the point from both sides (left and right). 2) Ensure the left-hand limit equals the right-hand limit. 3) Verify that the value of the function at that point matches the limit.

How do you show a function is continuous on an interval?

Show that the function is continuous at every point within the interval. For closed intervals, also show continuity at the endpoints (using one-sided limits).

How do you find the points of discontinuity for a rational function?

Set the denominator of the rational function equal to zero and solve for x. These x-values represent the points of discontinuity.

How do you use the definition of continuity to prove that a polynomial function is continuous everywhere?

Polynomial functions are continuous everywhere because the limit as x approaches any value c is equal to the function's value at c: lim⁡x→cP(x)=P(c)\lim_{x \to c} P(x) = P(c)limx→c​P(x)=P(c).

How do you determine if a function has a removable discontinuity?

If the limit exists at the point but is not equal to the function's value at that point, or if the function is undefined at that point, then the function has a removable discontinuity.

Explain the significance of continuity in calculus.

Continuity is crucial because it allows us to apply many theorems and techniques, such as the Intermediate Value Theorem and the Mean Value Theorem. It ensures predictable behavior of functions.

Why is it important to check all three conditions for continuity?

Each condition plays a specific role. f(c) being defined ensures there's a value at the point. The limit existing ensures the function approaches a single value. The limit equaling f(c) ensures there's no jump or hole.

How does the existence of a limit relate to continuity?

For a function to be continuous at a point, the limit at that point must exist. This means the left-hand limit and the right-hand limit must be equal.

Explain how to determine continuity from a graph.

Visually, a function is continuous if its graph can be drawn without lifting your pen. There should be no jumps, breaks, or holes in the graph at the point in question.

What is the relationship between differentiability and continuity?

If a function is differentiable at a point, it must also be continuous at that point. However, the converse is not always true; a function can be continuous but not differentiable (e.g., at a sharp corner).

Explain why a rational function might be discontinuous.

Rational functions are discontinuous where the denominator is equal to zero, because division by zero is undefined. This creates a vertical asymptote or a hole in the graph.

What is the Intermediate Value Theorem and how does continuity relate to it?

The Intermediate Value Theorem states that if a function is continuous on a closed interval [a, b], then for any value k between f(a) and f(b), there exists a c in [a, b] such that f(c) = k. Continuity is a requirement for this theorem.

Explain the concept of a one-sided limit and its relevance to continuity.

One-sided limits (left-hand and right-hand limits) are crucial for determining continuity at endpoints of intervals or at points where the function's definition changes. For continuity, both one-sided limits must exist and be equal to the function's value at that point.

Describe how continuity is used in real-world applications.

Continuity is used in physics to model motion, in engineering to design structures, and in economics to analyze market trends. It ensures that models behave predictably and realistically.

Explain why piecewise functions require special attention when checking for continuity.

Piecewise functions are defined by different expressions on different intervals. Continuity must be checked at the points where the function definition changes to ensure the pieces connect smoothly.

Define continuity at a point.

A function f(x) is continuous at x=c if: 1) f(c) is defined, 2) lim⁡x→cf(x)\lim_{x \to c} f(x)limx→c​f(x) exists, and 3) lim⁡x→cf(x)=f(c)\lim_{x \to c} f(x) = f(c)limx→c​f(x)=f(c).

What does it mean for a function to be discontinuous at a point?

A function is discontinuous at x=c if at least one of the three conditions for continuity is not met: f(c) is undefined, lim⁡x→cf(x)\lim_{x \to c} f(x)limx→c​f(x) does not exist, or lim⁡x→cf(x)≠f(c)\lim_{x \to c} f(x) \neq f(c)limx→c​f(x)=f(c).

Define the left-hand limit.

The left-hand limit is the value that f(x) approaches as x approaches c from values less than c, denoted as lim⁡x→c−f(x)\lim_{x \to c^-} f(x)limx→c−​f(x).

Define the right-hand limit.

The right-hand limit is the value that f(x) approaches as x approaches c from values greater than c, denoted as lim⁡x→c+f(x)\lim_{x \to c^+} f(x)limx→c+​f(x).

What is a removable discontinuity?

A removable discontinuity occurs when lim⁡x→cf(x)\lim_{x \to c} f(x)limx→c​f(x) exists, but either f(c) is undefined or lim⁡x→cf(x)≠f(c)\lim_{x \to c} f(x) \neq f(c)limx→c​f(x)=f(c). It can be 'removed' by redefining f(c).

What is a jump discontinuity?

A jump discontinuity occurs when the left-hand limit and the right-hand limit both exist but are not equal: lim⁡x→c−f(x)≠lim⁡x→c+f(x)\lim_{x \to c^-} f(x) \neq \lim_{x \to c^+} f(x)limx→c−​f(x)=limx→c+​f(x).

What is an infinite discontinuity?

An infinite discontinuity occurs when the function approaches infinity (or negative infinity) as x approaches c from either the left or right, often associated with vertical asymptotes.

What is an oscillating discontinuity?

An oscillating discontinuity occurs when the function oscillates infinitely many times near a point, preventing the limit from existing.

What is the domain of a function?

The domain of a function is the set of all possible input values (x-values) for which the function is defined.

What is the range of a function?

The range of a function is the set of all possible output values (y-values) that the function can produce.