Help with continuity of functions

In summary, continuity of functions is a mathematical concept that refers to the smoothness or unbrokenness of a function. It is important because it allows for accurate predictions and interpretations of real-world phenomena. To check for continuity, three criteria must be met. There are three types of continuity: point, uniform, and local. Continuity of functions has many real-world applications in fields such as physics, economics, and engineering.
  • #1
Cacophony
41
0

Homework Statement



For each of the following functions, find a value of a, (if such a value exists), which makes the function continuous.

a) f(x) = {ax^2...x > 3
...{x - 7...x ≤ 3

b) f(x) = {sin(ax)...x < (pi)
...{1...x ≥ (pi)

c) f(x) = {x^2 + a^2...x > 1
...{9 - x....x ≤ 1

Does anyone know how to do these?
 
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  • #2
Hi Cacophony! :smile:

for (a), the only difficulty is at x = 3 …

so put the two equations equal at x = 3 :wink:
 
  • #3
Do you know the definition of "continuous"? That's a good place to start.
 

FAQ: Help with continuity of functions

What is continuity of functions?

Continuity of functions is a mathematical concept that refers to the smoothness or unbrokenness of a function. It means that the function can be drawn without any breaks or gaps.

Why is continuity of functions important?

Continuity of functions is important because it allows us to make accurate predictions and interpretations of real-world phenomena. It also helps us to understand the behavior of a function and its graph.

How can we check for continuity of a function?

To check for continuity of a function, we can use three main criteria: the function must be defined at the point in question, the limit of the function at that point must exist, and the value of the function at the point must be equal to the limit.

What are the types of continuity of functions?

The three types of continuity of functions are point continuity, uniform continuity, and local continuity. Point continuity means that the function is continuous at a specific point. Uniform continuity means that the function is continuous over a specific interval. Local continuity means that the function is continuous at every point within a given interval.

What are some real-world applications of continuity of functions?

Continuity of functions has many real-world applications, such as in physics to describe the motion of objects, in economics to analyze supply and demand curves, and in engineering to design and optimize structures and systems. It is also used in many other fields, including biology, chemistry, and computer science.

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