CHAPTER 11

Continuity and Limits of Compositions

T he purpose of limits is that they give information about how a function

behaves near a “bad point” x = c that is not in its domain. Even if f (c)
is not defined, it may be that lim f (x) = L, for some number L. In this event
x! c
we know that f (x) becomes ever closer to L as x approaches the forbidden c.
Most of our examples in the past several chapters have been of this type.
Of course not every value x = c is a “bad point.” It could be that f (c) is
defined, and, moreover, lim f (x) = f (c). If this is the case for every c in the
x! c
domain of f (x), then we say that f is continuous. Issues concerning whether
or not f is continuous are called issues of continuity. Exact definitions
appear below, but first some general remarks about continuity.
In a first course in calculus it is easy to overlook the huge importance
of continuity. And happily, we can (in a first course) almost ignore it. But
the theoretical foundation of calculus rests on continuity. In this text and
beyond this text are countless theorems having the form

If f is continuous, then something significant is true.

Thus continuity is a property that allows us to draw certain important con-

clusions about a function. If we deal exclusively with continuous functions,
then all will be good. From a practical point of view this means that in a
first calculus course we need only to understand what continuity is and to
recognize which functions possess it. That is this chapter’s goal.
11.1 Definitions and Examples
The above discussion motivates our main definition.
Definition 11.1 A function f (x) is continuous at x = c if lim f (x) = f (c).
x! c
Note that this means all of the following three conditions must be met:
1. f (c) is defined,
2. lim f (x) exists,
x! c
3. lim f (x) = f (c).
x! c
If one or more of these conditions fail, then f (x) is discontinuous at c.
In such a case we sometimes say that f has a discontinuity at c.
Definitions and Examples 157

To illustrate this definition, five functions f (x) are graphed below. On

the far left, lim f (x) exists, but f (c) is not defined. Thus condition 1 fails, so
x! c
condition 3 also fails by default, so f (x) is not continuous at x = c. In the
second drawing, lim f (x) exists and f (c) is defined, but lim f (x) 6= f (c). Thus
x! c x! c
condition 3 fails, so f (x) is not continuous at x = c.

c c c c c

1,3 fail 3 fails 2,3 fail 1,2,3 fail 1,2,3 all hold
| {z }
f (x) is discontinuous at x = c

f (x) is continuous at x = c

In the third and fourth drawings lim f (x) doesn’t exist, so condition 2 fails,
x! c
so condition 3 also fails (by default) and f (x) is not continuous at c. Only on
the far right do all three conditions hold, so f (x) is continuous at x = c.
Intuitively, f (x) being continuous at x = c means that its graph does not
have a “break” at x = c. You can trace its graph through x = c without lifting
your pencil.
For example, the function on the y
right is discontinuous at x = °3, x = 1 2
y = f ( x)
and x = 2.5. But it is continuous at any 1
other x = c between °5 and 5. You can x
trace the graph from left to right with a °4 °3 °2 °1
°1
1 2 3 4 5

pencil, lifting only when x is °3, 1 or 2.5.

Most functions we deal with are continuous at most values of x. For
instance, the facts on page 130 state that if p(x) is a polynomial, then
lim p(x) = p(c) for any number c. According to Definition 11.1, this means
x! c
any polynomial is continuous at any number x = c. This is consistent with
our experience with the graphs of polynomials, which are smooth, unbroken
curves.
In addition, Chapter 10 showed lim sin(x) = sin(c) and lim cos(x) = cos(c)
x! c x! c
for any number c, meaning sin(x) and cos(x) are continuous at any number c.
Again, this matches our experience with their graphs, which are continuous
unbroken curves. Similarly, our experience with the functions sin°1 (x),
cos°1 (x), tan°1 (x), e x , b x , ln(x) and logb (x) suggest that these functions are
continuous at any number x = c in their domains.
158 Continuity and Limits of Compositions

11.2 Limits of Compositions

One practical application of continuity is that it yields a condition under
° ¢
which we can compute a limit of a composition, like lim f g(x) . The following
x! c
theorem gives the conditions under≥ which the ¥ limit can brought into the
° ¢
outside function f , as lim f g(x) = f lim g(x) .
x! c x! c

Theorem 11.1 If lim g(x) = L and f is continuous at L, then

x! c
° ¢ ≥ ¥
lim f g(x) = f lim g(x) = f (L).
x! c x! c

This formalizes what should be intuitively obvious: If f has no “jump”

° ¢
at L, and g(x) approaches L, then f g(x) will approach f (L). But continuity
is essential. This chapter’s Exercise 27 asks for an
≥ example
¥ of an f that is
° ¢
not continuous at L and for which lim f g(x) 6= f lim g(x) .
x! c x! c
µ 2 2∂
º °x
Example 11.1 Find lim cos .
x !º x°º
Because the function cos is continuous at any number L, Theorem 11.1 says
µ ∂ µ ∂
º2 ° x 2 º2 ° x 2
lim cos = cos lim
x!º x°º x!º x ° º
µ ∂
(º ° x)(º + x)
= cos lim
x!º x°º
≥ ¥
= cos lim °(º + x)
x!º

= cos(°2º) = 1.

2
Example 11.2 Find lim e x °2
.
x !1
Because e x is continuous at any number L, Theorem 11.1 guarantees that
2 lim( x2 °2) 2 1
lim e x °2
= e x!1 = e1 °2
= e°1 = .
x!1 e
µ µ ∂∂
sin(x)
Example 11.3 Find lim cos °1
ln .
x !0 x
The limit goes first inside the continuous function cos°1 and then inside the
continuous function ln.
µ µ ∂∂ µ µ ∂∂
°1 sin(x) °1 sin(x)
lim cos ln = cos lim ln
x!0 x x !0 x
µ µ ∂∂
°1 sin(x) ° ¢ º
= cos ln lim = cos°1 ln(1) = cos°1 (0) = .
x!0 x 2
Continuity on Intervals 159

11.3 Continuity on Intervals

Typically a function will be continuous at most points x = c. Discontinuities
are anomalies. The function sin(x), for example, is continuous at every
number x = c in its domain (°1, 1). In fact, the vast majority of the functions
we deal with routinely are continuous on their domains.
Take the function f on the right.
It is discontinuous at x = 1 and x =°1, y
x2 ° 4
which are not in its domain. At f ( x) = 2
x °1
any other number x = c we have
lim f (x) = f (c), so f is continuous at c. °1 1
x! c x
As f is continuous at every x except
±1, we say f is continuous on the in-
tervals (°1, °1), (°1, 1) and (1, 1).
In general we say a function f is continuous on an open interval (a, b)
if it is continuous at every c in (a, b), that is, if lim f (x) = f (c) when a < c < b.
x! c
Informally this means that f has no “jumps” on (a, b).
Now think about what it means for a function to be continuous on a
closed interval [a, b]. Intuitively this means that it has no “jumps” on [a, b].
Thus we would consider the function y
on the right to be continuous on [a, b]. y = f ( x)
Even though it is discontinuous at
the endpoints a and b, the discon-
tinuities disappear if we erase the x
a b
parts of the graph outside of [a, b].
We can formulate this precisely with right- and left-hand limits. Saying
that f is continuous on the closed interval [a, b] means that for any number c
in [a, b] we have lim f (x) = f (c), as x remains in [a, b] as it approaches c. But
x! c
if x is in [a, b], then it can approach a only from the right, and b only from
the left. Thus we require lim+ f (x) = f (a) and lim° f (x) = f (b).
x! a x! b
Let’s record these ideas of this page in a definition.
Definition 11.2 (Continuity on intervals)
• A function f is continuous on (a, b) if lim f (x) = f (c) when a < c < b.
x! c
• f is continuous on [a, b] if it is continuous on (a, b), and lim+ f (x) = f (a)
x! a
and lim° f (x) = f (b).
x! b
• f is continuous on [a, b) if it is continuous on (a, b), and lim+ f (x) = f (a).
x! a
• f is continuous on (a, b] if it is continuous on (a, b), and lim° f (x) = f (b).
x! b
160 Continuity and Limits of Compositions

Aspan example, consider the function y

f (x) = 1 ° x2 . Its graph is the upper half of p
the unit circle. According to Definition 11.2 f ( x) = 1 ° x2
this function is continuous on the closed in- x
°1 1
terval [°1, 1], as follows.
First let’s check that it is continuous on the open interval (°1, 1). If c is
in this interval then limit laws give
p p
lim f (x) = lim 1 ° x2 = 1 ° c2 = f (c).
x! c x! c

That is, lim f (x) = f (c), so f is continuous on (°1, 1). Concerning the end-
x! c
points, neither lim f (x) nor lim f (x) exist because f (x) is undefined when x
x!°1 x!1
is to the left of °1 or to the right of 1. But we do have lim + f (x) = 0 = f (°1)
p x!°1
and lim° f (x) = 0 = f (1). Thus 1 ° x is continuous on [°1, 1].
2
x!1
p
Our next example is f (x) = x + 1, whose
p y
graph is the graph of y = x shifted one
p
unit left. Note that f (x) is continuous on f ( x) = x+1
its domain [°1, 1) because it is continuous x
°1
on (°1, 1), and lim + f (x) = 0 = f (°1).
x!°1

Our final example concerns the function tan(x). This function has in-
finitely many discontinuities, at º2 + kº for any integer k. But if c is not one
of these numbers, then lim tan(x) = tan(c). Thus tan(x) is continuous on each
° x! c ¢
of the intervals ° º2 + kº, º
2 + kº .

y = tan(x)

x
° 52º ° 32º ° º2 3º 5º
º
2 2 2

In general the domain of a function is an interval or a collection of

intervals. Each example on this page features a function that is continuous
on its domain. In fact, almost all of the functions we deal with in calculus
are continuous on their domains, as the next section explains.
Building Continuous Functions 161

11.4 Building Continuous Functions

In using calculus it is often important that the functions we deal with
are continuous. Fortunately most are. The next theorem gives a list of
basic functions that are continuous on their domains. (In this theorem k
is a constant real number, and is interpreted as the constant function
f (x) = k whose graph is a horizontal line crossing the y-axis at k. Similarly
x represents the identity function f (x) = x whose graph is a straight line
with slope 1 and y-intercept 0. Also a is a positive constant.)

Theorem 11.2 Basic Continuous Functions

The following functions are continuous on their domains:

k x | x| ax ln(x) loga (x)

sin(x) cos(x) tan(x) csc(x) sec(x) cot(x)
sin°1 (x) cos°1 (x) tan°1 (x) csc°1 (x) sec°1 (x) cot°1 (x)

Two continuous functions f (x) and g(x) can be combined by various

algebraic operations and the result is continuous. For example, if they are
both continuous at c, then their product f (x) · g(x) is continuous at c because
a limit law gives
≥ ¥ ≥ ¥
lim f (x) · g(x) = lim f (x) · lim g(x) = f (c)g(c).
x! c x! c x! c

Here is a summary of ways that continuous functions can be combined to

yield new continuous functions.

Theorem 11.3 Building Continuous Functions

If f (x) and g(x) are continuous on their domains, then so are the following.

f (x) + g(x) f (x) ° g(x) k · f (x)

f (x) Ø
Ø f (x)Ø
Ø
f (x) · g(x)
° ¢ ° g(x)¢n p
f g(x) f (x) n
f (x)

The main point of this theorem is that if a function is built up by com-

bining continuous functions with the stated operations, then it itself is
continuous. For example,

cos(x) + x2 p
h(x) = +5 x
sin(x)

is continuous on its domain because it’s built up by combining the continuous

functions x, sin(x) and cos(x) with operations listed above.
162 Continuity and Limits of Compositions

11.5 The Intermediate Value Theorem

Though the theorem we now discuss is not the most important result in a
calculus course, it is a good example of a theorem having form “If f (x) is
continuous, then something significant is true,” promised on page 156.

Theorem 11.4 Intermediate Value Theorem

y = f (x)
If f (x) is continuous on a closed interval [a, b], and
y0 is any number between f (a) and f (b), then there f (b)
is a number c in [a, b] for which f (c) = y0 . y0

That is, a continuous function on [a, b], starting at f (a)

height f (a) and ending at height f (b), attains every
ac b
height y0 between f (a) and f (b).

The intermediate value theorem says something y = f (x)

very intuitive about a function that is continuous
f (b)
on [a, b], namely that it must take on every value
y0
between f (a) and f (b). Notice that continuity is an
essential ingredient. If f (x) were not continuous, f (a)
then there might be heights y0 between f (a) and f (b)
a b
that don’t equal any f (c), as shown on the right.
One application of Theorem 11.4 is to equations
of form f (x) = 0. If there are numbers a and b for y = f (x)
which one of f (a) and f (b) is positive and the other f (b)
is negative, and f (x) is continuous on [a, b], then we a
c b
know the equation f (x) = 0 has a solution c in [a, b].
This is because y0 = 0 is between f (a) and f (b), so f (a)
Theorem 11.4 guarantees a c in [a, b] with f (c) = 0.

Example 11.4 Show that the equation cos(x) = 2x has at least one solution.
This equation can’t be solved with standard algebraic techniques because x
cannot be isolated. (And writing it as cos(x) ° 2x = 0, we notice that it is
impossible to factor.) This problem is asking us just to show that there
exists a solution, not what number that solution is. To answer the question,
notice that the function f (x) = cos(x) ° 2x is continuous because it is built
from continuous functions cos(x) and x by operations listed in Theorem 11.3.
Notice that f (0) = cos(0) + 2 · 0 = 1 is positive but f (º) = cos(º) ° 2º = °1 ° 2º is
negative, so the number 0 is between f (0) and f (º). The intermediate value
theorem guarantees a number c in [0, º] for which f (c) = 0. This means
cos(c) ° 2c = 0, so c is a solution to cos(x) = 2x.
 The Intermediate Value Theorem 163

Exercises for Chapter 11

° ¢
1. Find: lim ln sin( x) 2. Find: lim °1
p tan ( x)
x!º/2 x! 3
µ ∂
sin( x) 4. Find: lim ecos( x)
3. Find: lim tan °1
x!º/2
x !0 x ∂ µ
5. Find: lim 2 3 cos(2 x) x2 ° 1
x!º/2 6. Find: lim ln
≥x¥ x !1 2x ° 2
7. Find: lim cos 8. Find: lim + sin°1 ( x)
x !º
µ3 ∂ x!°1 µ 2 ∂
º x + x2 x ° 16
9. Find: lim sin 10. Find: lim log2
x !0 4x x !4 x°4
x+1
11. State the intervals on which the function y = 2 is continuous.
x ° 4x + 3
p
x+5
12. State the intervals on which the function y = x is continuous.
e °1
p
13. State the intervals on which the function y = x2 ° 5 is continuous.
sin( x)
14. State the intervals on which the function y = is continuous.
x
15. Draw the graph of a function that meets all five of the following conditions.
1. f ( x) is continuous everywhere except at x = 1 and x = 2.
2. f (3) = 1 3. lim f ( x) = ° 1
x!1
4. lim f ( x) = 1 5. lim f ( x) = 2
x!2° x!2+

16. Draw the graph of a function that meets all five of the following conditions.
1. f ( x) is continuous everywhere except at x = °1 and x = 1.
2. f (3) = 2 3. lim f ( x) = 2
x!°1
4. lim f ( x) = 1 5. lim f ( x) = °1
x!1° x!1+
17. Find the value a such that f is 18. Find the value a such that f is
continuous on (°1, 1): continuous on (°1, 1):
Ω Ω 2
3 x ° 2 if x < 2 x ° 2 if x < 3
f ( x) = f ( x) =
5 x + a if x ∏ 2 ax if x ∏ 3
19. Find the value a such that f is 20. Find the value a such that f is
continuous on (°1, 1): continuous on (°1, 1):
8
< sin(3 x ° 3)
Ω 2
x +2 if x < 3 if x 6= 1
f ( x) =
f ( x) =
ax if x ∏ 3 : a x°1 if x = 1
 164 Continuity and Limits of Compositions

21. Answer the questions about the function f ( x) graphed below.

3 y
y = f ( x)
(a) At which values c is f ( x)
2
not continuous at x = c?
° ¢ 1
(b) f f (1) =
¢ °
(c) lim f f ( x) = °4 °3 °2 °1 1 2 3 4
x
x! 1
° ¢
(d) f f (°1) = °1
° ¢
(e) lim f f ( x) = °2
x!°1
°3

22. Answer the questions about the function f ( x) graphed below.

(a) At which values c is f ( x) 3 y
y = f ( x)
not continuous at x = c?
∂µ 2
x2 ° 4
(b) lim f =
x! 2 x°2 1
° ¢2
f ( x) ° 4 x
(c) lim = °4 °3 °2 °1 1 2 3 4
x!°1 f ( x) ° 2
°1
(d) lim f ± f ( x) =
x !3
°2
5 f ( x)
(e) lim =
x !3 1 + f ( x) °3

23. Answer these questions about the functions f and g graphed below.
(a) f (3) = y y
3 3
(b) lim g( x) = y = f ( x)
x! 2 2 2
µ ∂ y = g ( x)
1 1
(c) f lim g( x) = x x
x !2
° ¢ °4 °3 °2 °1 1 2 3 4 °4 °3 °2 °1 1 2 3 4
(d) lim f g( x) = °1 °1
x !2 °2 °2
f ( x)
(e) lim = °3 °3
x! 3 g( x ° 1)

24. Answer these questions about the functions f and g graphed below.
4 y 4 y
(a) lim f ( x) g( x) = 3 3
x !1
° ¢ y = g ( x)
(b) lim f g( x) = 2 2
x !1
° ¢ 1 1
(c) lim f g( x) = x x
x!°2
° ¢ °4 °3 °2 °1 1 2 3 4 °4 °3 °2 °1 1 2 3 4
(d) lim g f ( x) = °1 °1
x !2
° ¢ °2 y = f ( x) °2
(e) lim g f (°2 x) = °3 °3
x!°1
° ¢
(f) lim f f ( x) = °4 °4
x !2
 The Intermediate Value Theorem 165

25. Answer these questions about the functions f and g graphed below.
4 y 4 y
(a) lim f ( x) g( x) = 3 3
x !1
° ¢ y = g ( x)
(b) lim f g( x) = 2 2
x !0
° ¢ 1 1
(c) lim f g( x) = x x
x !2
° ¢ °4 °3 °2 °1 1 2 3 4 °4 °3 °2 °1 1 2 3 4
(d) lim g f ( x) = °1 °1
x !2
° ¢ °2 °2
(e) lim g f ( x) = °3 °3
x!°1 y = f ( x)
° ¢
(f) lim f f ( x) = °4 °4
x !2

26. Answer these questions about the functions f and g graphed below.
y y
(a) lim g( x) = 3 3
x! 1
2 2 y = g ( x)
(b) f (3) = y = f ( x)
1 1
µ ∂
(c) f lim g( x) = x x
x !1 °4 °3 °2 °1 1 2 3 4 °4 °3 °2 °1 1 2 3 4
° ¢ °1 °1
(d) lim f g( x) = °2 °2
x !1
(e) lim f ( x) g( x) = °3 °3
x! 3

27. Show that Theorem 11.1 requires continuity: Find functions ≥ f ¥and g for which
° ¢
lim g( x)=L, f is not continuous at L, and lim f g( x) 6= f lim g( x) . Hint: you will
x! c x! c x! c
find several such examples in the exercises above.
28. Use the intermediate theorem to show that the equation x3 + x + sin( x) = 11 has a
solution.
29. Use the intermediate theorem to show that the equation e x = 7 ° x has a solution.
 166 Continuity and Limits of Compositions

11.6 Exercise Solutions for Chapter 11

µ ∂
° ¢
1. lim ln sin( x) = ln lim sin( x) = ln(1) = 0
x!º/2 x!º/2
µ ∂ µ ∂
sin( x) sin( x) º
3. lim tan °1
= tan°1
lim = tan°1 (1) =
x !0 x x !0 x 4
1
5. lim 23 cos(2 x) = 23 cos(2·º/2) = 23 cos(º) = 2°3 =
x!º/2 8
≥x¥ ≥ x¥ 1
7. lim cos = cos lim = cos(º/3) =
x !º 3 x ! º 3 2
µ 2∂ µ 2∂ µ ∂ µ ∂ p
ºx + x ºx + x x(º + x) º+ x 2
9. lim sin = sin lim = sin lim = sin lim = sin(º/4) =
x !0 4x x!0 4x x!0 4x x !0 4 2

x+1
11. State the intervals on which the function y = is continuous.
x2 ° 4 x + 3
This is a rational function, so it will be continuous on its domain. Given that
x+1
y= , its domain is all real numbers except 1 and 3. Therefore this
( x ° 1)( x ° 3)
function is continuous on (°1, 1) [ (1, 3) [ (3, 1).
p
13. State the intervals on which the function y = x2 ° 5 is continuous.
p
By
p
Theorem 11.3, this function is continuous on its domain, which is (°1, ° 5] [
[ 5, 1).

15. Draw the graph of a function that meets all five of the following conditions.
1. f ( x) is continuous everywhere y
3
except at x = 1 and x = 2.
2
y = f ( x)
2. f (3) = 1 1

3. lim f ( x) = ° 1 °4 °3 °2 °1 1 2 3 4
x
x !1
°1
4. lim f ( x) = 1
x!2° °2

5. lim f ( x) = 2 °3
x!2+
Ω
3x ° 2 if x < 2
17. Find the value a such that f is continuous on (°1, 1): f ( x) =
5x + a if x ∏ 2
This function is a polynomial f ( x) = 3 x ° 2 on (°1, 2), so it is continuous on that
interval. The function is f ( x) = 5 x + a on (2, 1), so it is continuous on that interval.
Thus the only possible location for a discontinuity is at x = 2. In order for f to be
continuous at x = 2, we must have lim f ( x) = f (2). Now, f (2) = 5 · 2 + a = 10 + a, so
x !2
we require lim f ( x) = 10 + a. In particular, 10 + a = lim° f ( x) = lim° (3 x ° 2) = 4. This
x !2 x !2 x !2
gives a = °6.
 Exercise Solutions for Chapter 11 167
Ω
x2 + 2 if x < 3
19. Find the value a such that f is continuous on (°1, 1): f ( x) =
ax if x ∏ 3
This function is a polynomial f ( x) = x2 + 2 on (°1, 3), so it is continuous on that
interval. The function is f ( x) = ax on (3, 1), so it is continuous on that interval.
Thus the only possible location for a discontinuity is at x = 3. In order for f to be
continuous at x = 3, we must have lim f ( x) = f (3). Now, f (3) = a · 3, so we require
x !3
lim f ( x) = 3a. In particular, 3a = lim° f ( x) = lim° ( x2 + 2) = 11. This gives a = 3 .
11
x !3 x !3 x !3

21. Answer the questions about the function f ( x) graphed below.

(a) At which values c is f ( x)
3 y
not continuous at x= c? y = f ( x)
2
Answer: °2 and 1
° ¢ 1
(b) f f (1) = f (°1) = 3
° ¢ x
(c) lim f f ( x) = 1 °4 °3 °2 °1 1 2 3 4
x! 1 °1
° ¢
(d) f f (°1) = f (3) = 2 °2
¢ °
(e) lim f f ( x) = 2 °3
x!°1

23. Answer these questions about the functions f and g graphed below.
(a) f (3) = 1 y y
3 3
(b) lim g( x) = 3 2 2
x! 2 y = g ( x)
µ ∂ 1 1
(c) f lim g( x) = f (3) = 1 x x
x !2
° ¢ °4 °3 °2 °1 1 2 3 4 °4 °3 °2 °1 1 2 3 4
(d) lim f g( x) = °2 °1 °1
x !2 °2 °2
f ( x) °2 y = f ( x)
(e) lim = °3 °3
x!3 g( x ° 1) 3

25. Answer these questions about the functions f and g graphed below.
4 y 4 y
(a) lim f ( x) g( x) = 0 3 3
x!1
° ¢ y = g ( x)
(b) lim f g( x) = °2 2 2
x!0
° ¢ 1 1
(c) lim f g( x) = °1 x x
x !2
° ¢ °4 °3 °2 °1 1 2 3 4 °4 °3 °2 °1 1 2 3 4
(d) lim g f ( x) = 3 °1 °1
x !2
° ¢ °2 °2
(e) lim g f ( x) = 3 °3 °3
x!°1 y = f ( x)
° ¢
(f) lim f f ( x) = 0 °4 °4
x !2

27. Show that Theorem 11.1 requires continuity: Find functions ≥ f ¥and g for which
° ¢
lim g( x)=L, f is not continuous at L, and lim f g( x) 6= f lim g( x) .
x! c x! c x! c

Answer: In Exercise 23 above, we saw functions f and g for which lim g( x)=3,
µ ∂ x !2
¢ °
f is not continuous at 3, and lim f g( x) 6= f lim g( x) .
x !2 x !2
 168 Continuity and Limits of Compositions

29. Use the intermediate theorem to show that the equation e x = 7 ° x has a solution.
This amounts to showing that e x + x ° 7 = 0 has a solution. Let f ( x) = e x + x ° 7,
which is continuous on (°1, 1). We need to show that f ( x) = 0 has a solution.
Notice that f (0) = e0 + 0 ° 7 = °6 is negative but f (7) = e7 + 7 ° 7 = e7 is positive.
Since f is continuous on [0, 7] and f (0) < 0 < f (7), the intermediate value theorem
guarantees a number 0 < c < 7 for which f ( c) = 0. Therefore c is a solution for
e x + x ° 7 = 0.