Calculus: Early Transcendentals 8th Edition

Published by Cengage Learning
ISBN 10: 1285741552
ISBN 13: 978-1-28574-155-0

Chapter 2 - Section 2.5 - Continuity - 2.5 Exercises - Page 126: 67

Answer

There are no points where $f(x)$ is continuous.

Work Step by Step

Let's assume that $f(x)$ is continuous at $x = c$ Let $\epsilon = \frac{1}{2}$ There is a positive number $\delta$ such that if $\vert x-c \vert \lt \delta,$ then $\vert f(x) - f(c) \vert \lt \epsilon$ Choose a rational number $a$ in the interval $(c-\delta, c + \delta)$ Then $\vert a-c \vert \lt \delta,$ so $\vert f(a) - f(c) \vert \lt \epsilon$ Choose an irrational number $b$ in the interval $(c-\delta, c + \delta)$ Then $\vert b-c \vert \lt \delta,$ so $\vert f(b) - f(c) \vert \lt \epsilon$ Note that $f(a) = 0$ and $f(b) = 1$ Then: $\vert f(a)-f(b)\vert = \vert f(a)-f(c)+f(c)-f(b)\vert \leq \vert f(a)-f(c)\vert + \vert f(c)-f(b) \vert \lt \epsilon+\epsilon = 1$ Clearly, this is a contradiction since $\vert f(a)-f(b)\vert = 1$ Our initial assumption must be false. Therefore, there are no points where $f(x)$ is continuous.
Update this answer!

You can help us out by revising, improving and updating this answer.

Update this answer

After you claim an answer you’ll have 24 hours to send in a draft. An editor will review the submission and either publish your submission or provide feedback.