JEE Main · Mathematics ↓ Falling

Limits, Continuity and Differentiability appeared 52 times across 3 years — 6% of Mathematics. This question is from Number of Real Solutions of Equations.

Year 2026 2025 2024 Total
Questions 12 24 16 52

The number of real solution(s) of the equation x²+3x+2= |x-3|, |x+2| is:

Solution & Explanation

Related Formula

The function f(x), g(x) chooses the lower vertical path between the two curves at any coordinate x.

Core Logic

Analyze the conditions for the right-hand function |x-3|, |x+2|:

  • The intersection of |x-3| = |x+2| happens at x - 3 = -(x + 2) ⇒ 2x = 1 ⇒ x = 0.5.
  • For x ≤ 0.5, |x+2| ≤ |x-3| ⇒ = |x+2|.
  • For x > 0.5, |x-3| ≤ |x+2| ⇒ = |x-3|.
  • Min function intersection graph for Q68 - JEE Main 2025 Evening
    Min function intersection graph for Q68 - JEE Main 2025 Evening

Step 1: Check Interval x ≤ -2

Here, |x+2| = -(x+2) = -x-2:

x² + 3x + 2 = -x - 2 ⇒ x² + 4x + 4 = 0 (x+2)² = 0 ⇒ x = -2

This is a valid solution as it lies precisely within the interval condition boundary.

Step 2: Check Interval -2 < x ≤ 0.5

Here, |x+2| = x+2:

x² + 3x + 2 = x + 2 ⇒ x² + 2x = 0 x(x+2) = 0 ⇒ x = 0 or x = -2

Only x = 0 fits inside this interval.

Step 3: Check Interval x > 0.5

Here, = |x-3| = 3-x:

x² + 3x + 2 = 3 - x ⇒ x² + 4x - 1 = 0 x = -4 ± √(16 - 4(1)(-1))2 = -2 ± √(5)

Evaluating values: -2 + √(5) ≈ 0.236, which does not satisfy x > 0.5. Thus, no real roots occur in this span.

Combining valid points, we find exactly 2 distinct real solutions (x = -2, 0).

Pattern Recognition

Sketching a rough visualization showing the parabola crossing below the sharp wedge of the combined absolute values makes it visually clear that there are exactly two crossing points, confirming the algebraic count.

Chapter Mix

Class 11 Mathematics: Quadratic Equations Class 12 Mathematics: Limits, Continuity and Differentiability

Reference Study Guides

More Limits, Continuity and Differentiability Previous-Year Questions — Page 2

Q9 jee_main_2026_23_january_morning Continuity
Let f(x) = cases (ax² + 2ax + 3)/(4x² + 4x - 3), & x ≠ -(3)/(2), (1)/(2) b, & x = -(3)/(2), (1)/(2) cases be continuous at x = -(3)/(2). If fof(x) = (7)/(5), then x is equal to:
  • A. 2
  • B. 1
  • C. 0
  • D. 1.4

Solution

Core Logic

For f(x) to be continuous at x = -(3)/(2), the limit as x → -(3)/(2) must exist and equal f(-(3)/(2)) = b.

x → -3/2 (ax² + 2ax + 3)/((2x - 1)(2x + 3))

Since the denominator is zero at x = -(3)/(2), for the limit to exist, the numerator must also be zero at x = -(3)/(2).

Step 1: Determine 'a'

Set the numerator to 0 at x = -(3)/(2):

a(-(3)/(2))² + 2a(-(3)/(2)) + 3 = 0 (9a)/(4) - 3a + 3 = 0 (-3a)/(4) + 3 = 0 ⇒ (3a)/(4) = 3 ⇒ a = 4
Step 2: Simplify f(x)

Substitute a = 4 into f(x) for x ≠ -(3)/(2), (1)/(2):

f(x) = (4x² + 8x + 3)/((2x - 1)(2x + 3))

Factorizing the numerator:

4x² + 8x + 3 = (2x + 1)(2x + 3)

Thus, f(x) = ((2x + 1)(2x + 3))/((2x - 1)(2x + 3)) = (2x + 1)/(2x - 1) for x ≠ -(3)/(2).

Step 3: Solve f(f(x)) = 7/5

Evaluate fof(x):

f(f(x)) = f((2x + 1)/(2x - 1)) = (2((2x + 1)/(2x - 1)) + 1)/(2((2x + 1)/(2x - 1)) - 1) = (2(2x + 1) + (2x - 1))/(2(2x + 1) - (2x - 1)) = (4x + 2 + 2x - 1)/(4x + 2 - 2x + 1) = (6x + 1)/(2x + 3)

Equate to (7)/(5):

(6x + 1)/(2x + 3) = (7)/(5) ⇒ 5(6x + 1) = 7(2x + 3) 30x + 5 = 14x + 21 ⇒ 16x = 16 ⇒ x = 1
Pattern Recognition

Indeterminate forms at points of continuity explicitly lock polynomial coefficients. Always resolve the 0/0 form to extract missing variables before addressing composite functions.

Chapter Mix

Class 12 Maths: Limits, Continuity and Differentiability

Q1 jee_main_2026_23_january_evening Continuity of a Function
If f(x) = cases (a | x | + x² - 2( | x |)( | x |))/(x), & x ≠ 0 b, & x = 0 cases is continuous at x = 0, then a + b is equal to :
  • A. 1
  • B. 2
  • C. 0
  • D. 4

Solution

Related Formula

For a function to be continuous at x=0:

x→0⁻f(x) = x→0⁺f(x) = f(0)
Core Logic

For continuity at x=0, evaluate the left-hand limit (LHL) and right-hand limit (RHL).

LHL:

x→0⁻ a|x|+x²-2 |x| |x|x = h→0 ah+h²-2( ) -h

= -a + 2

RHL:

x→0⁺ a|x|+x²-2 |x| |x|x = h→0 ah+h²-2( ) h

= a - 2

Equating both limits to f(0) = b: -a+2 = a-2 = b

Step 1: Final Calculation

From the above equations:

2a = 4 a = 2

Substitute a=2 to find b: b = 2 - 2 = 0 Therefore, a + b = 2 + 0 = 2.

Pattern Recognition

Since |x| behaves differently on left and right, LHL and RHL will have opposite signs for the |x|/x term. This immediately forces a to balance out the remaining expansion limits.

Chapter Mix

Class 12 Maths: Limits, Continuity and Differentiability

Q1 jee_main_2026_24_january_morning Continuity and L'Hospital's Rule
If the function f(x) = e^x(ex - x - 1) + ₑ( x + x) - x x - x is Continuous at x = 0, then the value of f(0) is equal to
  • A. 2
  • B. (2)/(3)
  • C. (1)/(2)
  • D. (3)/(2)

Solution

Related Formula
f(0) = x → 0 f(x) x → 0 ( x - x)/(x³) = (1)/(3)
Core Logic
f(0) = x → 0 ex - e^x + ln( x + x) - x x - x

Applying L'Hospital's rule:

Step 1: Differentiation
⇒ f(0) = x → 0 ex · ² x - e^x + x - 1 ² x - 1 ⇒ f(0) = x → 0 ex ( ² x - 1) + (ex - e^x) + x - 1 ² x
Step 2: Limit Evaluation
⇒ f(0) = x → 0 ( ex + e^x (ex - x - 1) ² x + (1)/( x + 1) ) ⇒ f(0) = 1 + 0 + (1)/(2) = (3)/(2)
Pattern Recognition

When expanding or using L'Hospital's, breaking the numerator into standard limits like (e^t - 1)/t and observing secant/tangent expansions simplifies the process instantly.

Chapter Mix

Class 11 Maths: Limits and Derivatives Class 12 Maths: Continuity and Differentiability

Q16 jee_main_2026_24_january_morning Differentiability of Piecewise Functions
Let α, β in R be such that the function f (x) = cases 2 α (x² - 2) + 2 β x & , x < 1 (α + 3) x + (α - β) & , x ≥ 1 cases be differentiable at all x in R. Then 34(α + β) is equal to
  • A. 84
  • B. 48
  • C. 36
  • D. 24

Solution

Related Formula
Continuity at x=a: x → a^- f(x) = x → a^+ f(x) = f(a) Differentiability at x=a: x → a^- f'(x) = x → a^+ f'(x)
Core Logic

Since f(x) is differentiable at x=1, it must be continuous at x=1. f(x) = cases 2α x² + 2β x - 4α & ; x < 1 (α + 3)x + α - β & ; x ≥ 1 cases

Step 1: Continuity Check
f(1^-) = -2α + 2β f(1^+) = (α + 3) + α - β = 2α - β + 3

Equating:

-2α + 2β = 2α - β + 3 4α - 3β + 3 = 0 (1)
Step 2: Differentiability Check

Differentiate both branches:

f'(x) = cases 4α x + 2β & ; x < 1 α + 3 & ; x > 1 cases

Equate at x=1:

f'(1^-) = 4α + 2β f'(1^+) = α + 3 4α + 2β = α + 3 ⇒ 3α + 2β - 3 = 0 (2)
Step 3: Solving Equations

From (2), β = (3 - 3α)/(2). Substitute into (1):

4α - 3((3 - 3α)/(2)) + 3 = 0 8α - 9 + 9α + 6 = 0 ⇒ 17α - 3 = 0 ⇒ α = (3)/(17) β = (3 - 9/17)/(2) = (42)/(34) = (21)/(17)
Step 4: Evaluate Final Target
34(α + β) = 34( (3)/(17) + (21)/(17) ) = 34 × (24)/(17) = 48
Pattern Recognition

For piecewise polynomials, standard constraints of LHL=RHL and LHD=RHD form a solvable linear system. Differentiating standard polynomials directly instead of applying first-principle limits saves 2+ minutes.

Chapter Mix

Class 12 Maths: Limits, Continuity and Differentiability

Q20 jee_main_2026_24_january_evening Continuity of Piecewise Functions
Let [t] denote the greatest integer less than or equal to t. If the function f(x)= casesb² ((π)/(2)[(π)/(2)( x+ x) x])&,x<0 x-(1)/(2) 2xx³&,x>0a&,x=0 cases is continuous at x = 0, then a² + b² is equal to
  • A. (5)/(8)
  • B. (9)/(16)
  • C. (3)/(4)
  • D. (1)/(2)

Solution

Related Formula
Condition for continuity at x = 0: x → 0^- f(x) = x → 0^+ f(x) = f(0)
Core Logic

Evaluate the function value at x = 0: f(0) = a

Step 1: Evaluate RHL (Right Hand Limit)

For x > 0:

RHL = x → 0^+ ( x - (1)/(2) 2x)/(x³) = x → 0^+ ( x - x x)/(x³) = x → 0^+ ( x (1 - x))/(x³) = x → 0^+ ( ( x)/(x) ) ( (1 - x)/(x²) ) = (1) ( (1)/(2) ) = (1)/(2)

For continuity, a = RHL, so a = (1)/(2).

Step 2: Evaluate LHL (Left Hand Limit)

For x < 0 (approaching 0 from negative side):

LHL = x → 0^- b² ( (π)/(2) [ (π)/(2) ( x + x) x ] )

Look at the inner expression inside the GIF near x → 0^-: Let g(x) = (π)/(2) ( x + x) x. As x → 0^-, x is a small negative number, x is slightly less than 1.

g(0) = (π)/(2) (0 + 1)(1) = (π)/(2) ≈ 1.57

For small negative x, g(x) will approach (π)/(2) but we need to check if it's less than or greater than (π)/(2).

g(x) = (π)/(2)( x x + ² x) = (π)/(2)(( 2x)/(2) + (1+ 2x)/(2))

Since x → 0^-, 2x < 0 and 2x < 1. Thus, g(x) is slightly less than (π)/(2) (which is ≈ 1.57), so g(x) is in the interval (1, 1.57).

The greatest integer value [g(x)] = 1.

LHL = b² ((π)/(2) (1)) = b² ((π)/(2)) = b²
Step 3: Final Calculation

Equate the limits:

LHL = RHL b² = (1)/(2)

Find a² + b²:

a² + b² = ((1)/(2))² + (1)/(2) = (1)/(4) + (1)/(2) = (3)/(4)
Pattern Recognition

For GIF limits as x → 0, expanding into precise Taylor approximations or inspecting trigonometric bounds (e.g., 1.57 - small ) guarantees the exact bounding integer block before taking the final limit step.

Chapter Mix

Class 12 Maths: Limits, Continuity and Differentiability

More Limits, Continuity and Differentiability Questions — jee_main_2025_24_jan_evening

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