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Answer
The function
is defined differently for
and
. It is not continuous at
because the left-hand and right-hand limits at that point are not equal.
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Beyond the Answer
This piecewise function
has roots and characteristics that make it fascinating! For
, the function is linear, and it decreases as
becomes more negative. Specifically, if we set
, you can find that the linear part has a root at
. For
,
transforms into a quadratic function. It opens upwards and offers complex behavior, including a vertex that can determine local minima and maxima for further exploration.
When working with piecewise functions, one common mistake is forgetting to evaluate the function at the boundary point (-3 in this case). When analyzing continuity or differentiability, it’s vital to check how the two pieces connect at this point. If you evaluate
using both expressions, you’ll find both yield the same value, confirming continuity! Pay attention to these details for smooth mathematical sailing!