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Exercise 26Calculus › Single-variable calculus › Continuity › Continuous and discontinuous functionsL1Added 2 Nov 2026

Extensions by continuity and oscillation

#extension by continuity#oscillation#squeeze theorem

Statement

For each function, decide whether it can be extended by continuity at 00.

  1. sin⁡1x\sin\dfrac1x
  2. sin⁡x sin⁡1x\sin x\,\sin\dfrac1x
  3. cos⁡x cos⁡1x\cos x\,\cos\dfrac1x
Hint

For a negative answer, use two sequences tending to 00 along which the values differ. For a positive answer, use the squeeze theorem.

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Solution

1. No. Along an=1nπa_n=\frac1{n\pi} the values are 00; along bn=1π/2+2nπb_n=\frac1{\pi/2+2n\pi} the values are 11. Both sequences tend to 00, so there is no limit.

2. Yes. Since ∣sin⁡xsin⁡1x∣≤∣sin⁡x∣→0\bigl|\sin x\sin\frac1x\bigr|\le|\sin x|\to0, the limit is 00. The extension is defined by the value 00 at x=0x=0.

3. No. Take an=12nπa_n=\frac1{2n\pi} and bn=1(2n+1)πb_n=\frac1{(2n+1)\pi}. Both tend to 00, and cos⁡ancos⁡1an=cos⁡an→1\cos a_n\cos\frac1{a_n}=\cos a_n\to1 while cos⁡bncos⁡1bn=−cos⁡bn→−1\cos b_n\cos\frac1{b_n}=-\cos b_n\to-1. So there is no limit.

Rule of thumb. An oscillating factor is harmless when it is multiplied by something tending to 00, and fatal when it is multiplied by something tending to a non-zero number.