Continuity — Question 6

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Question 6

Let the function f(x)f(x) be defined as: f(x)={sin⁡(ax)x,x≠0b,x=0f(x) = \begin{cases} \frac{\sin(ax)}{x}, & x \neq 0 \\ b, & x = 0 \end{cases}

Find the values of constants aa and bb such that f(x)f(x) is continuous at x=0x = 0.

Original worksheet page 1: question and worked solution for 2-9-006
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Question 6 - Solution

To ensure continuity at x=0x = 0, we must have: limx→0f(x)=f(0)=b\lim_{x \to 0} f(x) = f(0) = b

We are given: f(x)=sin⁡(ax)x,x≠0f(x) = \frac{\sin(ax)}{x}, \quad x \neq 0 f(0)=bf(0) = b

We evaluate the limit: limx→0sin⁡(ax)x=limx→0a⋅sin⁡(ax)ax=a⋅limu→0sin⁡uu=a⋅1=a\lim_{x \to 0} \frac{\sin(ax)}{x} = \lim_{x \to 0} a \cdot \frac{\sin(ax)}{ax} = a \cdot \lim_{u \to 0} \frac{\sin u}{u} = a \cdot 1 = a

So for continuity, we must have: limx→0f(x)=a=b\lim_{x \to 0} f(x) = a = b

Final Answer: Any a∈ℝ and b=a\boxed{\text{Any } a \in \mathbb{R} \text{ and } b = a}

Original worksheet page 2: question and worked solution for 2-9-006

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