For what value of $k$, the function given below is continuous at $x = 0$?
$f(x) = \begin{cases} \frac{\sqrt{4 + x} - 2}{x} &, x \neq 0 \\ k &, x = 0 \end{cases}$
Answer & explanation
Correct answer: option 2
The correct answer is Option (2) → $\frac{1}{4}$ ##
$f(x) = \begin{cases} \frac{\sqrt{4 + x} - 2}{x} &, x \neq 0 \\ k &, x = 0 \end{cases}$
For continuity at $x = 0$:
$\lim\limits_{x \to 0} [f(x)] = \lim\limits_{x \to 0^+} [f(x)] = f(0)$
Rationalizing the numerator:
$f(x) = \frac{\sqrt{4 + x} - 2}{x} \cdot \frac{\sqrt{4 + x} + 2}{\sqrt{4 + x} + 2}$
$f(x) = \frac{4 + x - 4}{x(\sqrt{4 + x} + 2)}$
$f(x) = \frac{1}{\sqrt{4 + x} + 2}$
Evaluating the limit:
$\lim\limits_{x \to 0} f(x) = \lim\limits_{x \to 0} \frac{1}{\sqrt{4 + 0} + 2} = \frac{1}{4}$
Given $f(0) = k$.
So, $k = \frac{1}{4}$