# 12.3 Continuity

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In this section, you will:
• Determine whether a function is continuous at a number.
• Determine the numbers for which a function is discontinuous.
• Determine whether a function is continuous.

Arizona is known for its dry heat. On a particular day, the temperature might rise as high as $\text{\hspace{0.17em}}{118}^{\circ }\text{F}\text{\hspace{0.17em}}$ and drop down only to a brisk $\text{\hspace{0.17em}}{95}^{\circ }\text{F}\text{.}\text{\hspace{0.17em}}$ [link] shows the function $\text{\hspace{0.17em}}T,$ where the output of $\text{\hspace{0.17em}}T\left(x\right)\text{\hspace{0.17em}}$ is the temperature in Fahrenheit degrees and the input $\text{\hspace{0.17em}}x\text{\hspace{0.17em}}$ is the time of day, using a 24-hour clock on a particular summer day.

When we analyze this graph, we notice a specific characteristic. There are no breaks in the graph. We could trace the graph without picking up our pencil. This single observation tells us a great deal about the function. In this section, we will investigate functions with and without breaks.

## Determining whether a function is continuous at a number

Let’s consider a specific example of temperature in terms of date and location, such as June 27, 2013, in Phoenix, AZ. The graph in [link] indicates that, at 2 a.m. , the temperature was $\text{\hspace{0.17em}}{96}^{\circ }\text{F}$ . By 2 p.m. the temperature had risen to $\text{\hspace{0.17em}}{116}^{\circ }\text{F,}\text{\hspace{0.17em}}$ and by 4 p.m. it was $\text{\hspace{0.17em}}{118}^{\circ }\text{F}\text{.}\text{\hspace{0.17em}}$ Sometime between 2 a.m. and 4 p.m. , the temperature outside must have been exactly $\text{\hspace{0.17em}}{110.5}^{\circ }\text{F}\text{.}\text{\hspace{0.17em}}$ In fact, any temperature between $\text{\hspace{0.17em}}{96}^{\circ }\text{F}\text{\hspace{0.17em}}$ and $\text{\hspace{0.17em}}{118}^{\circ }\text{F}\text{\hspace{0.17em}}$ occurred at some point that day. This means all real numbers in the output between $\text{\hspace{0.17em}}{96}^{\circ }\text{F}\text{\hspace{0.17em}}$ and $\text{\hspace{0.17em}}{118}^{\circ }\text{F}\text{\hspace{0.17em}}$ are generated at some point by the function according to the intermediate value theorem,

Look again at [link] . There are no breaks in the function’s graph for this 24-hour period. At no point did the temperature cease to exist, nor was there a point at which the temperature jumped instantaneously by several degrees. A function that has no holes or breaks in its graph is known as a continuous function    . Temperature as a function of time is an example of a continuous function.

If temperature represents a continuous function, what kind of function would not be continuous? Consider an example of dollars expressed as a function of hours of parking. Let’s create the function $\text{\hspace{0.17em}}D,$ where $\text{\hspace{0.17em}}D\left(x\right)\text{\hspace{0.17em}}$ is the output representing cost in dollars for parking $\text{\hspace{0.17em}}x\text{\hspace{0.17em}}$ number of hours. See [link] .

Suppose a parking garage charges $4.00 per hour or fraction of an hour, with a$25 per day maximum charge. Park for two hours and five minutes and the charge is $12. Park an additional hour and the charge is$16. We can never be charged $13,$14, or $15. There are real numbers between 12 and 16 that the function never outputs. There are breaks in the function’s graph for this 24-hour period, points at which the price of parking jumps instantaneously by several dollars. A function that remains level for an interval and then jumps instantaneously to a higher value is called a stepwise function . This function is an example. A function that has any hole or break in its graph is known as a discontinuous function . A stepwise function, such as parking-garage charges as a function of hours parked, is an example of a discontinuous function. #### Questions & Answers The center is at (3,4) a focus is at (3,-1), and the lenght of the major axis is 26 Rima Reply The center is at (3,4) a focus is at (3,-1) and the lenght of the major axis is 26 what will be the answer? Rima I done know Joe What kind of answer is that😑? Rima I had just woken up when i got this message Joe Can you please help me. Tomorrow is the deadline of my assignment then I don't know how to solve that Rima i have a question. Abdul how do you find the real and complex roots of a polynomial? Abdul @abdul with delta maybe which is b(square)-4ac=result then the 1st root -b-radical delta over 2a and the 2nd root -b+radical delta over 2a. I am not sure if this was your question but check it up Nare This is the actual question: Find all roots(real and complex) of the polynomial f(x)=6x^3 + x^2 - 4x + 1 Abdul @Nare please let me know if you can solve it. Abdul I have a question juweeriya hello guys I'm new here? will you happy with me mustapha The average annual population increase of a pack of wolves is 25. Brittany Reply how do you find the period of a sine graph Imani Reply Period =2π if there is a coefficient (b), just divide the coefficient by 2π to get the new period Am if not then how would I find it from a graph Imani by looking at the graph, find the distance between two consecutive maximum points (the highest points of the wave). so if the top of one wave is at point A (1,2) and the next top of the wave is at point B (6,2), then the period is 5, the difference of the x-coordinates. Am you could also do it with two consecutive minimum points or x-intercepts Am I will try that thank u Imani Case of Equilateral Hyperbola Jhon Reply ok Zander ok Shella f(x)=4x+2, find f(3) Benetta f(3)=4(3)+2 f(3)=14 lamoussa 14 Vedant pre calc teacher: "Plug in Plug in...smell's good" f(x)=14 Devante 8x=40 Chris Explain why log a x is not defined for a < 0 Baptiste Reply the sum of any two linear polynomial is what Esther Reply divide simplify each answer 3/2÷5/4 Momo Reply divide simplify each answer 25/3÷5/12 Momo how can are find the domain and range of a relations austin Reply the range is twice of the natural number which is the domain Morolake A cell phone company offers two plans for minutes. Plan A:$15 per month and $2 for every 300 texts. Plan B:$25 per month and \$0.50 for every 100 texts. How many texts would you need to send per month for plan B to save you money?
6000
Robert
more than 6000
Robert
can I see the picture
How would you find if a radical function is one to one?
how to understand calculus?
with doing calculus
SLIMANE
Thanks po.
Jenica
Hey I am new to precalculus, and wanted clarification please on what sine is as I am floored by the terms in this app? I don't mean to sound stupid but I have only completed up to college algebra.
I don't know if you are looking for a deeper answer or not, but the sine of an angle in a right triangle is the length of the opposite side to the angle in question divided by the length of the hypotenuse of said triangle.
Marco
can you give me sir tips to quickly understand precalculus. Im new too in that topic. Thanks
Jenica
if you remember sine, cosine, and tangent from geometry, all the relationships are the same but they use x y and r instead (x is adjacent, y is opposite, and r is hypotenuse).
Natalie
it is better to use unit circle than triangle .triangle is only used for acute angles but you can begin with. Download any application named"unit circle" you find in it all you need. unit circle is a circle centred at origine (0;0) with radius r= 1.
SLIMANE
What is domain
johnphilip
the standard equation of the ellipse that has vertices (0,-4)&(0,4) and foci (0, -15)&(0,15) it's standard equation is x^2 + y^2/16 =1 tell my why is it only x^2? why is there no a^2?
what is foci?
This term is plural for a focus, it is used for conic sections. For more detail or other math questions. I recommend researching on "Khan academy" or watching "The Organic Chemistry Tutor" YouTube channel.
Chris