(4) Redefine the function \( f(x)=\frac{x^{2}-4 x-12}{x-6} \) to be continuous at \( x=6 \)
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To make the function \( f(x) = \frac{x^{2}-4x-12}{x-6} \) continuous at \( x = 6 \), we need to ensure that the limit of \( f(x) \) as \( x \) approaches 6 equals \( f(6) \). First, we factor the numerator: \( x^2 - 4x - 12 = (x-6)(x+2) \). Thus, we can rewrite \( f(x) \): \[ f(x) = \frac{(x-6)(x+2)}{x-6} \] for \( x \neq 6 \), which simplifies to \( f(x) = x + 2 \). Now, we find the limit as \( x \) approaches 6: \[ \lim_{x \to 6} f(x) = 6 + 2 = 8. \] To redefine \( f(x) \) at \( x = 6 \) for continuity, we set \( f(6) = 8 \). Thus, the function \( f(x) \) can be redefined as: \[ f(x) = \begin{cases} \frac{x^{2}-4x-12}{x-6}, & \text{if } x \neq 6 \\ 8, & \text{if } x = 6 \end{cases}. \]