To determine the value of \(a + b\) such that the function \(f(x)\) is continuous at \(x=0\), we need to ensure that the left-hand limit, right-hand limit, and the value of the function at \(x=0\) are all equal.
The function is given by:
f(x) = \begin{cases} \frac{a|x| + x^2 - 2(\sin|x|)(\cos|x|)}{x}, & x \neq 0 \\ b, & x = 0 \end{cases}
To check continuity at \(x=0\), we calculate the limit of \(f(x)\) as \(x\) approaches 0:
\lim_{x \to 0} f(x) = \lim_{x \to 0} \frac{a|x| + x^2 - 2(\sin|x|)(\cos|x|)}{x}
As \(x \to 0\), \(|x| = x\) because the limit is approached from both sides:
\lim_{x \to 0} (a|x| + x^2) = ax + x^2 \to 0
Now, we simplify the trigonometric expression. Using the identities \(\sin|x| \approx |x|\) and \(\cos|x| \approx 1\) as \(x \to 0\):
\sin|x|\cos|x| \approx |x| \cdot 1 = x
Thus,
\lim_{x \to 0} 2(\sin|x|)(\cos|x|) = 2x
Substitute back:
\lim_{x \to 0} \frac{a|x| + x^2 - 2(\sin|x|)(\cos|x|)}{x} = \lim_{x \to 0} \frac{ax + x^2 - 2x}{x}
Factor and simplify the expression:
= \lim_{x \to 0} \frac{x(a + x - 2)}{x} = \lim_{x \to 0} (a + x - 2) = a - 2
For continuity at \(x=0\), the limit should equal the function value at \(x=0\), which is \(b\):
a - 2 = b
From \(a - 2 = b\), we find \(b = a - 2\).
To find \(a+b\):
a + b = a + (a - 2) = 2a - 2
Given that the expression should satisfy the continuity, typically \(a = 2\), so:
a + b = 2 \times 1 = 2
Hence, the value of \(a+b\) is 2.