Polynomial is Continuous
From ProofWiki
Theorem
A polynomial function is continuous at every point.
Thus a polynomial function is continuous on every interval of $\R$.
Proof
From Linear Function is Continuous‎, setting $\alpha = 1$ and $\beta = 0$, we have that:
- $\displaystyle \lim_{x \to c} \ x = c$
Repeated application of the Product Rule for Limits of Functions shows us that:
- $\displaystyle \forall k \in \N: \lim_{x \to c} \ x^k = c^k$
Now let $P \left({x}\right) = a_n x^N + a_{n-1} x^{n-1} + \cdots + a_1 x + a_0$.
Now by repeated application of the Combined Sum Rule for Limits of Functions, we find that:
- $\displaystyle \lim_{x \to c} \ P \left({x}\right) = P \left({c}\right)$
So whatever value we choose for $c$, we have that $P \left({x}\right)$ is continuous at $c$.
From the definition of continuity on an interval, the second assertion follows.
$\blacksquare$
Sources
- K.G. Binmore: Mathematical Analysis: A Straightforward Approach (1977)... (previous)... (next): $\S 8.13$
- K.G. Binmore: Mathematical Analysis: A Straightforward Approach (1977)... (previous)... (next): $\S 9.2$