Chapter 4: Problem 43
The function \(f(x)\) is defined as under:
\(f(x)=\left\\{\begin{array}{ll}3^{x} & :-1 \leq x \leq 1 \\ 4-x & :
1
Short Answer
Expert verified
The function \(f(x)\) is (c) continuous but not differentiable at \(x=1\).
Step by step solution
01
Checking Continuity at \(x=1\)
The function \(f(x)\) is defined as \(3^{x}\) for \(-1 \leq x \leq 1\) and as \(4-x\) for \(1 < x < 4\). To check if the function is continuous at \(x=1\), it is necessary to confirm the equality of the limit of the function as \(x\) approaches \(1\) from the left (which uses the function definition for \(-1 \leq x \leq 1\)) and the limt of the function as \(x\) approaches \(1\) from the right (which uses the function definition for \(1 < x < 4\)), and the function's value at \(x=1\).\n\nFirst, calculate the function's value at \(x=1\): \(f(1)=3^{1}=3\).\n\nNext, calculate the limit of \(f(x)\) as \(x\) approaches \(1\) from the left: \(\lim_{{x \to 1^-}}3^{x}=3^{1}=3\).\n\nFinally, calculate the limit of \(f(x)\) as \(x\) approaches \(1\) from the right: \(\lim_{{x \to 1^+}}(4-x)=4-1=3\).\n\nSince the function's value at \(x=1\) and the limits of the function as \(x\) approaches \(1\) from both directions are all equal to \(3\), the function is continuous at \(x=1\).
02
Checking Differentiability at \(x=1\)
The function \(f(x)\) is differentiable at a point if it is continuous at that point (which we have already established for \(x=1\)) and the limits of the derivative from both directions at that point are equal. Hence, we need to determine if the left-hand derivative and the right-hand derivative at \(x=1\) are the same. \n\nThe derivative of \(3^{x}\) with respect to \(x\) is \(3^{x}\ln(3)\), so the left-hand derivative at \(x=1\) is \(3^{1}\ln(3)=3\ln(3)\).\n\nThe derivative of \(4-x\) with respect to \(x\) is \(-1\), so the right-hand derivative at \(x=1\) is \(-1\).\n\nSince the left-hand derivative and the right-hand derivative at \(x=1\) are not equal (\(3\ln(3) \neq -1\)), the function is not differentiable at \(x=1\).
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Key Concepts
These are the key concepts you need to understand to accurately answer the question.
Piecewise Functions
A piecewise function is a type of function defined by multiple expressions based on different intervals of input. Think of it as a function with multiple rules, each one applying to a specific part of the domain. This is particularly useful when modeling scenarios that have different behaviors over different ranges.
For example, consider the function given in our problem:
For example, consider the function given in our problem:
- For \(-1 \leq x \leq 1\), the function is defined by \(f(x) = 3^x\).
- For \(1 < x < 4\), the function follows another rule: \(f(x) = 4-x\).
Continuity at a Point
Continuity at a point means a function does not have any abrupt changes or jumps at that point. For a function \(f(x)\) to be continuous at \(x = c\),
- The limit of \(f(x)\) as \(x\) approaches \(c\) from the left must equal the limit as \(x\) approaches \(c\) from the right.
- Additionally, these limits must equal the function's value at that point, \(f(c)\).
- The limit of the function as \(x\) approaches \(1\) from the left is \(3\).
- The limit as \(x\) approaches \(1\) from the right is also \(3\).
- The actual value of \(f(1)\) is \(3\).
Differentiability at a Point
Differentiability at a point refers to whether a function has a derivative at that point- meaning the function's rate of change is consistent and smooth at that spot. A function differentiable at \(x = c\) should not only be continuous at \(x = c\), but the derivatives from left and right must be equal as well.
In the given problem, we've examined the derivatives of \(f(x)\) from both directions at \(x = 1\):
In the given problem, we've examined the derivatives of \(f(x)\) from both directions at \(x = 1\):
- For the segment \(3^x\), the left-hand derivative is \(3 \ln(3)\).
- On the other hand, for the segment \(4-x\), the right-hand derivative is \(-1\).