How do you use the definition of continuity and the properties of limits to show that the function g(x) = sqrt(-x^2 + 8*x - 15) is continuous on the interval [3,5]?

raapjeqp

raapjeqp

Answered question

2022-10-18

How do you use the definition of continuity and the properties of limits to show that the function g ( x ) = - x 2 + 8 x - 15 is continuous on the interval [3,5]?

Answer & Explanation

cdtortosadn

cdtortosadn

Beginner2022-10-19Added 19 answers

In order for g to be continuous on [3,5], the definition of continuous on a closed interval requires:
For c in (3,5), we need lim x c g ( x ) = g ( c )
and we also need one-sided continuity at the endpoints:
we need: lim x 3 + g ( x ) = g ( 3 ) and lim x 5 - g ( x ) = g ( 5 )
For c in (3,5), We'll use the properties of limits to evaluate the limit:
lim x c g ( x ) = lim x c - x 2 + 8 x - 15
= lim x c ( - x 2 + 8 x - 15 )
= lim x c ( - x 2 ) + lim x c ( 8 x ) - lim x c ( 15 )
= - lim x c ( x 2 ) + 8 lim x c ( x ) - lim x c ( 15 )
= - ( lim x c ( x ) ) 2 + 8 lim x c ( x ) - lim x c ( 15 )
= - ( c ) 2 + 8 ( c ) - ( 15 )
= g ( c )
Use the one-sided versions of the limit properties at the endpoints.
For c=3, replace all limits of the form lim x c with lim x 3 +
For c=5, replace all limits of the form lim x c with lim x 5 -

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