Science:Math Exam Resources/Courses/MATH102/December 2013/Question B 06

MATH102 December 2013

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Question B 06
Let $f(x)={\begin{cases}x^{2}&x<1\\a-x&x\geq 1\end{cases}}$ where a is a constant. What value of a ensures that f is continuous for all x?

Make sure you understand the problem fully: What is the question asking you to do? Are there specific conditions or constraints that you should take note of? How will you know if your answer is correct from your work only? Can you rephrase the question in your own words in a way that makes sense to you?

If you are stuck, check the hints below. Read the first one and consider it for a while. Does it give you a new idea on how to approach the problem? If so, try it! If after a while you are still stuck, go for the next hint.

Hint 1
What is the definition of continuity? At what x-value need we be concerned about the continuity of f?

Hint 2
A function is continuous at $\displaystyle c$ if $\lim _{x\to c}f(x)=f(c)$. That is, the left-sided limit, the right-sided limit and the function value are all the same.

Checking a solution serves two purposes: helping you if, after having used all the hints, you still are stuck on the problem; or if you have solved the problem and would like to check your work. If you are stuck on a problem: Read the solution slowly and as soon as you feel you could finish the problem on your own, hide it and work on the problem. Come back later to the solution if you are stuck or if you want to check your work. If you want to check your work: Don't only focus on the answer, problems are mostly marked for the work you do, make sure you understand all the steps that were required to complete the problem and see if you made mistakes or forgot some aspects. Your goal is to check that your mental process was correct, not only the result.

Solution

Found a typo? Is this solution unclear? Let us know here. Please rate my easiness! It's quick and helps everyone guide their studies. Polynomials are continuous, so the only point where we are concerned with the continuity of $f$ is $x=1$. It remains to find a value $a$ such that $\lim _{x\to 1^{-}}f(x)=f(1)=\lim _{x\to 1^{+}}f(x)$. By the definition of $\displaystyle f(x)$ we have $f(1)=a-1$. The right-sided limit is $\lim _{x\to 1^{+}}f(x)=\lim _{x\to 1^{+}}a-x=a-1$. The left-sided limit is $\lim _{x\to 1^{-}}f(x)=\lim _{x\to 1^{-}}x^{2}=1$. Hence we need to find a value $\displaystyle a$ such that $\displaystyle a-1=1$. It follows that the value $\displaystyle a$ that makes $\displaystyle f(x)$ continuous on $(-\infty ,\infty )$ is $a={\color {blue}2}$.

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