The number of points in the interval [2, 4], at which the function f(x)= [x2-x- 12 ], where [ ] denotes the greatest integer function, is discontinuous, is .
Answer
10
Solution
Let g(x)=x2-x- 12; g'(x)=2x-1>0 on [2, 4], so g is continuous and strictly increasing.
g(2)= 32, g(4)= 232
[g(x)] is discontinuous exactly where g(x) takes an integer value in ( 32, 232 ):
g(x)=2, 3, 4, , 11 — each attained once
At the end points g is not an integer, so f is continuous there.
Number of points =10
Answer: 10