3.

2 Differentiability
and Continuity

At the end of this section each of you should be

able to:
i.

demonstrate an understanding of the idea

one-sided derivatives;

ii. explain the geometric interpretation

differentiability of a function;
iii. explain
the
relationship
differentiability and continuity;

of

between

iv. determine one-sided derivatives of a function

at a number.
Objectives

Let f be a function defined at every number

in some interval [x0 , b). The right-hand
derivative of f at x0, denoted by f+(x0)
is given by

if this limit exists.

Right-hand Derivative

Let f be a function defined at every number

in some interval (a , x0]. The left-hand
derivative of f at x0, denoted by f(x0)
is given by

if this limit exists.

LEFT-hand Derivative

f(x0) exists if f+(x0) and f(x0) both exist

and are equal.

f(x0) does not exist if one or both of

f+(x0) and f-(x0) do not exist or if
f+(x0) or f-(x0) are not equal.

A function f is said to be differentiable at a

number x0 if f(x0) exists.

Remarks

THEOREMS ON DIFFERENTIABILITY

A polynomial function is differentiable

anywhere.

A rational function is differentiable at

every number in its domain.

Remarks

Geometrically, the graph of f which is

differentiable at x0 has no break or cusps
or pointed part at x0.

Remarks

If a function f is differentiable at a
number x0 then f is continuous at the
number x0.

If a function f is continuous at a number

x0
then
f
is NOT NECESSARILY
differentiable at the number x0.

If a function f is NOT continuous at a

number x0 then f is NOT differentiable at
the number x0.

Remarks

Example 3.2.1
Let

x 2 1 if x 1
f x
2
1 x if x 1

a. Find f 1 and f 1 .
b. Is f differentiable at 1? Justify
your answer.

Solution:
a. f 1 lim

x 2 1 if x 1
f x
2
1 x if x 1

f 1 h f 1

h 0

1 1 h 0
2

lim
h 0

f 1 lim
h 0

2h h
lim
h 0
h

f 1 h f 1
h

1 h 2 1 0
2
2
h

lim
lim
h 0
h 0
h
h

lim 2 h 2
h0

-2

f 1 f 1 , f is not

b. Since
differentiable at 1.
Example 3.2.3
Let

2 x if

f x 4
if
x 2 if

x2
x2
x2

Show that f is continuous at 2.

Is f differentiable at 2? Justify your answer.

Solution:
f 2 4
lim f x lim 2 x 4

x 2

x 2

lim f x lim x 4
2

x 2

2 x if

f x 4
if
x 2 if

x2
x2
x2

lim f x 4
x 2

x 2

Since f 2 lim f x , f is continuous at 2.

x 2

b. f 2 lim

f 2 h f 2

h 0

2 h

lim
h 0

2 x if

f x 4
if
x 2 if

x2
x2
x2

4 h h

4 4h h 2 4
lim
lim
lim 4 h 4
h 0
h 0
h 0
h
h

f 2 lim
h 0

f 2 h f 2
h

lim
h 0

2 2 h 4
h

2h
lim
lim 2 2
h 0 h
h 0

Since f 2 f 2 , f is not differentiable at 2.

2 x if

f x 4
if
x 2 if

x2
x2
x2

Example 3.2.2
Let f x 2 x 1 if x 1 .
2
x

if x 1

Is f differentiable at 1? Justify your

answer.

Solution:
f 1 h f 1
f 1 lim
h 0

2 x 1 if x 1
f x 2
if x 1
x

1 h 2 1
2
2
h

lim
lim
2
h 0
h 0
h
h

f 1 lim
h 0

f 1 h f 1
h

2 1 h 1 1
2h
lim
lim
2
h 0
h 0 h
h

Since f 1 f 1 then f is differentiable at 1.

Is f continuous at 1? YES

Example 3.2.4 Find all numbers where

each indicated function is differentiable.

a. f x 9 x 5 x b.
3
1
7

2x 1
g x
x 12 x 1

c. h x x 2

Solution:
a. f is a polynomial function so by Theorem
3.2.2, f is differentiable everywhere, that is, at
all numbers.

2x 1
g x
x 12 x 1

b. g is a rational function whose

domain is 1, 1 2. By Theorem 3.2.3, g is
differentiable everywhere except at 1 and
1/2 .

h x x

c. Note that h is not continuous for all non

h x d.n.e.
positive real number. Also lim
x 0
1
Now, h x
. Thus, h x will exist for all
2 x
positive real numbers. Therefore h is
differentiable x 0, .
.

End of 3.2