Let (X,dX)(X,d_X) and (Y,dY)(Y,d_Y) be , and let f:XYf:X\to Y.

Fix a point x0Xx_0\in X. The following are equivalent:

  • Epsilon–delta continuity at x0x_0: for every ε>0\varepsilon>0 there exists δ>0\delta>0 such that dX(x,x0)<δ    dY(f(x),f(x0))<ε.d_X(x,x_0)<\delta \implies d_Y(f(x),f(x_0))<\varepsilon.
  • Sequential continuity at x0x_0: for every (xn)(x_n) in XX, xnx0    f(xn)f(x0).x_n\to x_0 \implies f(x_n)\to f(x_0).
  • Neighborhood formulation: for every set VYV\subseteq Y with f(x0)Vf(x_0)\in V, there exists δ>0\delta>0 such that BX(x0,δ)f1(V).B_X(x_0,\delta)\subseteq f^{-1}(V).

Moreover, ff is on all of XX if and only if preimages of open sets are open:

VY open    f1(V)X open.V\subseteq Y \text{ open} \implies f^{-1}(V)\subseteq X \text{ open}.
Remarks

These equivalences let you choose the most convenient continuity definition for a given proof.