The demo provides an illustration of how the epsilon-delta definition of continuity works. The function f(x) and its domain are specified in the control panel. The graph of f(x) appears in the window labeled "Function Graph".
Along the x-axis domain are two red hotspots: ones lets you choose the point x0 at which you want to test for continuity; the second lets you choose the size of a delta neighborhood of x0. This neighborhood of x0 and its image on the graph are both shown in magenta.
To test for continuity, start by choosing an epsilon in the control panel. This determines the location of the two blue horizontal bars which lie a distance epsilon above and below the point (x0,f(x0)).
The challenge is to find a small enough delta neighborhood of x0
in the domain such that the image of that neighborhood lies in between
the two blue bars. The function f(x) is called continuous at x0
if it is always possible to meet this challenge for any value of
epsilon.
Display two additional examples by selecting either the "Ex1" or
"Ex2" checkbox. These functions are not continuous on the entire
domain. Why?