Chapter 2: Problem 35
Show that \(f\) is continuous on the given interval. \(f(x)=\sqrt{x-4} ; \quad[4,8]\)
Short Answer
Expert verified
The function \( f(x) = \sqrt{x-4} \) is continuous on the interval \([4,8]\) because it is the composition of continuous functions over its domain.
Step by step solution
01
Understand the Problem
The task is to prove that the function \( f(x) = \sqrt{x-4} \) is continuous on the interval \([4, 8]\). A function is continuous on a closed interval if it is continuous at every point in that interval.
02
Check Domain of Function
The domain of the function \( f(x) = \sqrt{x-4} \) is determined by the condition under the square root. Since the square root is defined for non-negative numbers, we have \( x-4 \geq 0 \), or \( x \geq 4 \). Therefore, the domain of \( f \) is \([4, \infty)\). This includes our interval \([4, 8]\).
03
Use Properties of Continuous Functions
The function \( f(x) = \sqrt{x-4} \) is a composition of the function \( g(x) = x-4 \) and the square root function \( h(x) = \sqrt{x} \). Both of these functions are continuous where they are defined: \( g(x) \) is defined and continuous everywhere, and \( h(x) \) is defined and continuous for \( x \geq 0 \). Thus, their composition \( f(x) = h(g(x)) = \sqrt{x-4} \) is continuous where it is defined, including the interval \([4, 8]\).
04
Conclusion
Since all conditions for the square root function are met within the interval \([4, 8]\) and the composition is continuous, we conclude that \( f \) is continuous on the interval \([4, 8]\).
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Key Concepts
These are the key concepts you need to understand to accurately answer the question.
Square Root Function
A square root function involves the mathematical operation of finding the square root of a given expression. In our given problem, the function is expressed as \( f(x) = \sqrt{x-4} \). This means that for every value of \( x \), we subtract 4 and then find the square root of the result.
The square root function has specific characteristics:
The square root function has specific characteristics:
- It is only defined for non-negative values. For \( \sqrt{x-4} \) to be real and valid, \( x-4 \) must be greater than or equal to zero.
- This leads to the requirement that \( x \geq 4 \) for our function.
- As a result, this makes it a naturally restricted function.
- Graphically, the square root function starts at a specific point and continues to rise gradually in a smooth curve.
Function Domain
The domain of a function refers to all the possible input values (usually \( x \) values) for which the function is defined. Here, we consider the function \( f(x) = \sqrt{x-4} \).
Due to the nature of square roots:
Due to the nature of square roots:
- We can only take the square root of numbers 0 or greater.
- This sets a condition \( x-4 \geq 0 \), simplifying to \( x \geq 4 \).
- Hence, the domain is \([4, \infty)\), meaning \( x \) can be any value from 4 up to infinity.
Composite Function
A composite function is created when one function is applied to the result of another function. In simpler terms, it's like a function inside a function. Our given function \( f(x) = \sqrt{x-4} \) is a composite function.
Here's how it breaks down:
Here's how it breaks down:
- The inner function \( g(x) = x-4 \) shifts the input by subtracting 4.
- The outer function \( h(x) = \sqrt{x} \) then takes the square root of that shifted value.
- So, \( f(x) = h(g(x)) = \sqrt{x-4} \).
- Both \( g(x) \) and \( h(x) \) are continuous functions. Therefore, their composition is also continuous when defined.
Closed Interval
A closed interval, such as \([4, 8]\), is a range of values that includes the endpoints. In mathematical terms, it means that the interval contains all numbers between 4 and 8, as well as the numbers 4 and 8 themselves.
Here's what you need to know about closed intervals:
Here's what you need to know about closed intervals:
- The notation \([a, b]\) indicates that both \( a \) and \( b \) are part of the interval.
- For the function \( f(x) = \sqrt{x-4} \), we examine whether the function is continuous at every point in this closed interval.
- Continuity on a closed interval ensures that the function has no breaks, jumps, or undefined points within the interval boundaries.
- This is confirmed for \( f(x) = \sqrt{x-4} \) on \([4, 8]\) since it meets the necessary conditions discussed previously.