Prove that if S(c +h) – f(c) lim h exists, then f is continuous at c.

Calculus: Early Transcendentals
8th Edition
ISBN:9781285741550
Author:James Stewart
Publisher:James Stewart
Chapter1: Functions And Models
Section: Chapter Questions
Problem 1RCC: (a) What is a function? What are its domain and range? (b) What is the graph of a function? (c) How...
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**Statement:**

Prove that if 

\[
\lim_{{h \to 0}} \frac{{f(c + h) - f(c)}}{h}
\]

exists, then \( f \) is continuous at \( c \). 

**Explanation:**

The above expression represents the definition of the derivative of \( f \) at the point \( c \). If this limit exists, it implies that the function \( f \) is differentiable at \( c \). It is a fundamental theorem in calculus that differentiability at a point implies continuity at that point.

**Steps:**

1. **Definition of Continuity**: A function \( f \) is continuous at a point \( c \) if 

   \[
   \lim_{{x \to c}} f(x) = f(c)
   \]

2. **Using the Derivative Definition**: The limit 

   \[
   \lim_{{h \to 0}} \frac{{f(c + h) - f(c)}}{h}
   \]

   implies 

   \[
   \lim_{{h \to 0}} (f(c + h) - f(c)) = 0
   \]

   because the derivative exists and is finite.

3. **Link to Continuity**: From the above, it follows that 

   \[
   \lim_{{h \to 0}} f(c + h) = f(c)
   \]

   which confirms that \( f \) is continuous at \( c \) based on the definition of continuity.

**Conclusion:**

The existence of the derivative at \( c \) implies that \( f \) is continuous at \( c \).
Transcribed Image Text:**Statement:** Prove that if \[ \lim_{{h \to 0}} \frac{{f(c + h) - f(c)}}{h} \] exists, then \( f \) is continuous at \( c \). **Explanation:** The above expression represents the definition of the derivative of \( f \) at the point \( c \). If this limit exists, it implies that the function \( f \) is differentiable at \( c \). It is a fundamental theorem in calculus that differentiability at a point implies continuity at that point. **Steps:** 1. **Definition of Continuity**: A function \( f \) is continuous at a point \( c \) if \[ \lim_{{x \to c}} f(x) = f(c) \] 2. **Using the Derivative Definition**: The limit \[ \lim_{{h \to 0}} \frac{{f(c + h) - f(c)}}{h} \] implies \[ \lim_{{h \to 0}} (f(c + h) - f(c)) = 0 \] because the derivative exists and is finite. 3. **Link to Continuity**: From the above, it follows that \[ \lim_{{h \to 0}} f(c + h) = f(c) \] which confirms that \( f \) is continuous at \( c \) based on the definition of continuity. **Conclusion:** The existence of the derivative at \( c \) implies that \( f \) is continuous at \( c \).
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