graph the function. then determine for what numbers, if any, the function is discontinuous. f(x) = { 1 if x…

graph the function. then determine for what numbers, if any, the function is discontinuous. f(x) = { 1 if x is prime. 2 if x is not prime. graph the piece - wise function. determine for what numbers, if any, the function is discontinuous. a. the function is discontinuous at each prime number. b. the function is discontinuous at each composite number. c. the function is continuous.
Answer
Explanation:
Step1: Recall continuity definition
A function $f(x)$ is continuous at $x = a$ if $\lim_{x\rightarrow a}f(x)=f(a)$. Consider a prime - number $p$.
Step2: Analyze left - hand and right - hand limits
Let $p$ be a prime number. The left - hand limit $\lim_{x\rightarrow p^{-}}f(x)$ and right - hand limit $\lim_{x\rightarrow p^{+}}f(x)$ do not exist in the usual sense. Because in any open interval around a prime number $p$, there are both prime and non - prime numbers. For example, if we approach $p$ from the left or right, we can find sequences of prime and non - prime numbers that approach $p$. The value of $f(x)$ jumps between $1$ (when $x$ is prime) and $2$ (when $x$ is non - prime). So, $\lim_{x\rightarrow p}f(x)$ does not exist for prime numbers $p$.
Answer:
A. The function is discontinuous at each prime number.