Use the definition of continuity and the properties of limits to show that the f

Chaya Galloway

Chaya Galloway

Answered question

2021-10-21

To demonstrate that the function is continuous on the given interval, use the definition of continuity and the characteristics of limits.
f(x)=x+x4, [4,)

Answer & Explanation

au4gsf

au4gsf

Skilled2021-10-22Added 95 answers

If a function is continuous at every point in an interval, the interval is said to be continuous.
Now, a function is continuous at a point x=a if limxaf(x)=f(a)
The function is f(x)=x+x4 defined on the interval [4,).
For a>4 we have,
limxaf(x)=limxa(x+x4)
=limxax+limxa(x4)
=limxax+limxa(x4)
limxax+limxa(x)limaa(4)
=a+a4
=f(a)
That is, limxaf(x)=f(a) for all values for a>4. Therefore f is continuous at x=a for every a in (4,)
Now limx4+f(x)=limx4+(x+x4)
=4+44
=4+0
=4
=f(4)
Also, limx4+f(x)=4=f(4), so f is continuous the right at 4.
Thus, the function f(x)=x+x4 is continuous at all points in the interval [4,)
Therefore, f is continuous at x=a for every a in (4,).Also,limx4+f(x)=4=f(4), so f is continuous from the right at 4.
Thus, the function is continuous on [4,).

Jeffrey Jordon

Jeffrey Jordon

Expert2022-06-24Added 2605 answers

Answer is given below (on video)

Don Sumner

Don Sumner

Skilled2023-06-10Added 184 answers

Definition of Continuity: A function f(x) is continuous at a point c if the following three conditions are met:
1. f(c) is defined.
2. limxcf(x) exists.
3. limxcf(x)=f(c).
Using the given function f(x)=x+x4 on the interval [4,), we can verify each condition.
1. f(c) is defined:
For any x in the interval [4,), the expression x+x4 is defined. Therefore, f(c) is defined for all x in the interval.
2. limxcf(x) exists:
To determine the limit as x approaches c, we substitute x=c into the function and simplify:
limxc(x+x4)=c+c4.
In this case, as x approaches any value greater than or equal to 4, the limit exists.
3. limxcf(x)=f(c):
Now we compare the limit as x approaches c to the value of the function at c:
limxc(x+x4)=c+c4.
f(c)=c+c4.
By comparing these two expressions, we can see that the limit and the value of the function at c are equal.
Therefore, since the function f(x)=x+x4 satisfies all three conditions of continuity, we can conclude that it is continuous on the interval [4,).
nick1337

nick1337

Expert2023-06-10Added 777 answers

Step 1. f(c) is defined:
In our case, f(x)=x+x4 is defined for all x in the interval [4,), including the point x=4. Hence, f(c) is defined.
Step 2. The limit of f(x) as x approaches c exists:
We need to evaluate the limit of f(x) as x approaches 4 from the right side (x4+) to check if it exists.
limx4+(x+x4)
To simplify this expression, we can substitute x4 with t:
limt0+((t+4)+t)
Now, we can evaluate the limit:
limt0+(t+4)+limt0+t
The first term evaluates to 4, and the second term evaluates to 0. Therefore, the limit exists and is equal to 4.
Step 3. The limit of f(x) as x approaches c is equal to f(c):
We need to check if limx4+(x+x4)=f(4).
From the previous calculation, we know that limx4+(x+x4)=4. Now, let's find f(4):
f(4)=4+44=4+0=4+0=4
Since limx4+(x+x4)=f(4), the third condition is satisfied.
Therefore, based on the definition of continuity, we have shown that the function f(x)=x+x4 is continuous on the interval [4,).

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