Continuity Lab — Fibo Math Lab

Fibo Math Lab

Continuity Lab

Skill goal: Decide whether a function is continuous at a point using the three-part test.

1 · Observe

Meet the function h(x):

h(x) = x for x < 1,   h(x) = x + 2 for x ≥ 1

The graph on [−1, 3] is below. Notice the open circle at (1, 1) and the filled dot at (1, 3).

2 · Manipulate

Drag the blue probe along the curve and watch x and h(x).

x = 0.50 h(x) = 0.50

Or let the probe approach x = 1 automatically:

3 · Predict

Before looking at Section 4, type your guesses, then press Check my prediction.

4 · See

Live readouts for the probe point x = 1:

lim (x→1⁻) h(x) = 1 lim (x→1⁺) h(x) = 3 h(1) = 3

Coming from the left, values slide toward 1. Coming from the right, they slide toward 3. The two one-sided limits disagree — so the two-sided limit does not exist.

5 · Explain

A function f is continuous at c exactly when all three conditions hold:

  1. f(c) is defined. Here h(1) = 3 ✓ (filled dot).
  2. The limit exists: left-hand limit = right-hand limit. Here 1 ≠ 3 ✗ — this condition fails.
  3. limit = f(c). (Never reached, since the limit doesn’t exist.)
Conclusion: h is discontinuous at x = 1. Because both one-sided limits exist but differ, this is a jump discontinuity.

6 · Challenge

Three rounds. Decide: continuous at the point? If not, name the discontinuity type.

Score: 0 / 3

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