Math Problem Statement

Determine the intervals of continuity for the given function. At which endpoints of these intervals of continuity is f continuous from the left or continuous from the​ right? 0 3 6 0 3 6 x y y equals f left parenthesis x right parenthesis

A coordinate system has a horizontal x-axis from 0 to 6 in increments of 1 and a vertical y-axis from 0 to 6 in increments of 1. A graph labeled y equals f(x) has two branches. From left to right, the first branch starts at an open circle at (0, 4), rises first steeply and then more shallowly to an open circle at (1, 5), and then falls first shallowly and then more steeply through an open circle at (2, 4) to a closed circle at (3, 1). A closed circle is at (2, 5). From left to right, the second branch starts at an open circle at (3, 4) and rises first shallowly and then more steeply to an open circle at (4, 5). Question content area bottom Part 1 Determine the intervals of continuity for the given function.    enter your response here ​(Simplify your answer. Type your answer in interval notation. Use a comma to separate intervals as​ needed.)

Solution

To determine the intervals of continuity for the function f(x)f(x), we need to carefully examine the graph's behavior and identify where the function is continuous. Continuity means there are no breaks, jumps, or holes in the graph at a given point.

Key Observations:

  1. From x=0x = 0 to x=1x = 1:

    • The function starts at an open circle at (0,4)(0, 4), which suggests f(x)f(x) is not defined at x=0x = 0.
    • It rises to another open circle at (1,5)(1, 5), suggesting the function is continuous on this segment but does not include x=0x = 0 or x=1x = 1.
  2. From x=1x = 1 to x=2x = 2:

    • The graph falls from (1,5)(1, 5) to an open circle at (2,4)(2, 4).
    • This means the function is continuous between x=1x = 1 and x=2x = 2, but it has a jump discontinuity at x=2x = 2, where there is an open circle at (2,4)(2, 4) and a closed circle at (2,5)(2, 5).
  3. From x=2x = 2 to x=3x = 3:

    • The graph goes from the closed circle at (2,5)(2, 5) to the closed circle at (3,1)(3, 1).
    • This segment is continuous, as the function is defined and continuous for all points between x=2x = 2 and x=3x = 3.
  4. From x=3x = 3 to x=4x = 4:

    • The function starts at an open circle at (3,4)(3, 4), which suggests a discontinuity at x=3x = 3.
    • It rises steeply to the open circle at (4,5)(4, 5), so there is a jump discontinuity at x=3x = 3.
  5. From x=4x = 4 to x=6x = 6:

    • The graph is continuous between x=4x = 4 and x=6x = 6, as there are no further discontinuities.

Conclusion:

The function is continuous on the following intervals:

  • (1,2)(1, 2)
  • (2,3)(2, 3)
  • (4,6)(4, 6)

Continuity at Endpoints:

  • At x=1x = 1: The function is continuous from the right (i.e., it approaches the value of 5 as xx approaches 1 from the right).
  • At x=2x = 2: The function is continuous from the left (i.e., it approaches the value of 5 as xx approaches 2 from the left).
  • At x=3x = 3: The function is continuous from the left (i.e., it approaches the value of 4 as xx approaches 3 from the left).
  • At x=4x = 4: The function is continuous from the left (i.e., it approaches the value of 5 as xx approaches 4 from the left).

Final Answer:

The intervals of continuity for the given function are: (1,2),(2,3),(4,6)(1, 2), (2, 3), (4, 6)

Let me know if you'd like any further details or clarifications!


Here are some related questions you might find interesting:

  1. How can you determine if a function is continuous at a specific point from its graph?
  2. How do open and closed circles on a graph affect the continuity of a function?
  3. What is the difference between continuity from the left and from the right?
  4. What types of discontinuities might appear in piecewise functions?
  5. How does the concept of a jump discontinuity differ from an infinite discontinuity?

Tip: Always check for breaks, jumps, or holes in the graph to identify points of discontinuity.

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Math Problem Analysis

Mathematical Concepts

Continuity
Intervals of Continuity
Left and Right Continuity
Piecewise Functions
Graph Analysis

Formulas

Definition of Continuity: A function f(x) is continuous at a point c if lim (x → c-) f(x) = lim (x → c+) f(x) = f(c).

Theorems

Definition of Continuity
Piecewise Function Analysis

Suitable Grade Level

Grades 10-12