Written by the Fiveable Content Team • Last updated September 2025
Verified for the 2026 exam
Verified for the 2026 exam•Written by the Fiveable Content Team • Last updated September 2025
Definition
The limit expression "lim x->a [f(x) - f(a)]/(x - a)" represents how a function approaches a specific value (a) as x gets arbitrarily close to that value.
Continuity refers to when a function has no breaks or jumps and can be drawn without lifting your pen from paper. It ensures that limits exist at every point within an interval.
Differentiability describes a function that has a derivative at every point within an interval. It means the function is smooth and has a well-defined slope at each point.
A removable discontinuity occurs when there's a hole in the graph of a function, but it can be filled by redefining the value of the function at that specific point. It's like having a gap in your dartboard, but you can place a sticker to cover it up and make it continuous again.