A piecewise-defined function with a parameter in the definition may only be continuous and differentiable for a certain value of the parameter. This applet explores what this means graphically.

1 A piecewise function

The first example shows the piecewise function For the initial value of k = 0, the function is not continuous at x = 1, as is clear from the graph. Is there a value of k that will make the function continuous at x = 1? Try moving the k slider, or type in a guess for k. How would you use algebra to compute this k from the definition of the function? Think about what you did graphically (tried to make the two parts of the function connect at x = 1); how could you express that in an equation that could then be solved for k? You can also zoom in near the point where the two pieces need to connect by clicking on that spot.

2. A second piecewise function

Select the second example, which shows another piecewise function This function is continuous at x = 1, but is not differentiable there when k = 0, as you can see from looking at the first derivative graph. Is there a value for k that makes the function differentiable at x = 1? Move the slider to try and find one. Is there a way using calculus and algebra to compute this k from the function's definition? Think about what you did graphically (tried to make the two parts have the same slope at x = 1); how could you express that in an equation that could then be solved for k?

Related differentiation topics

• Constant, Line, and Power Functions
• Exponential Functions
• Trigonometric Functions
• Constant Multiple
• Combinations: Sum, and Difference
• Combinations of Functions: Product and Quotient
• Composition of Functions (the Chain Rule)
• Transformations of Functions
• Inverses of Functions
• Hyperbolic Functions
• Linear Approximation
• Mean Value Theorem

Acknowledgements

Derived from the work of Thomas S. Downey under a Creative Commons Attribution 3.0 License.