1 Chapter 1: Functions of Several Variables

Limit of a Multivariable Function

 Recall that for the function of single variable, the limit of a function f ( x ) when x
approaches x0, i.e., lim f ( x ) exists, if and only if lim f ( x )  lim f ( x) .
x  x0 x  x0 x  x0

 If the lim f ( x ) exists, taking the values from both left hand side (LHS) and right hand
x  x0

side (RSH) must give the same answer.

 However, in order to find the limit, taking the values only from both directions is not
applicable for a multivariable function.

 Instead of only consider the directions from LHS and RHS, for the case of
multivariable function, we need to consider the limit of the function f ( x, y ) from
various directions, which is hard or impossible to be realized.
 2 Chapter 1: Functions of Several Variables

 In general, to find the limit for a function of two variables, we use the notation
lim f ( x, y)  L
( x , y ) ( x0 , y0 )

to indicate that the value of f ( x, y) approaches the number L as the point ( x, y)

approaches the point ( x0 , y0 ) along any path that stays within the domain of f. We
write ( x, y)  ( x0 , y0 ) to mean that the point ( x, y) is allowed to approach ( x0 , y0 )
along any curve that passes through ( x0 , y0 ) .

 If lim f ( x, y) is not the same for all approaches, it implies that the limit does
( x , y ) ( x0 , y0 )

not exist.

Example 1

Find the limit of the following functions when ( x, y )  (0,0) if it exists.

(a) ln(1  x 2 y 3 )
x4  y4
(b)
x2  y2

Solution

(a) lim ln(1  x 2 y3 )  ln[(1  (0)2 (0)3 ]  0

( x , y )(0,0)

x4  y 4 ( x 2  y 2 )( x 2  y 2 )
(b) lim  lim
( x , y ) (0,0) x 2  y 2 ( x , y ) (0,0) x2  y 2
 lim ( x 2  y 2 )
( x , y ) (0,0)

 02  02
0

Example 2

xy
Find lim if it exists.
( x , y ) (0,0) x  y2
2

Solution

xy
To find the limit of f ( x, y )  , let’s choose different smooth curves or lines which
x  y2 2

pass through the point (0,0) , and determine whether their values are the same.
 3 Chapter 1: Functions of Several Variables

Since ( x, y)  (0,0) , the chosen smooth lines or curves need to pass through the point (0,0).
For example, the lines x  0, y  0, y  x, y   x and etc., and the curves
y  x 2 , y  x 3 , y  x and etc, all pass through the point (0,0) .

Let’s consider the line x  0 and y  0 .

Along the line x  0 (or y-axis):

xy 0( y )
lim  lim 2 2
( x , y ) (0,0) x  y
2 2 y 0 0  y

 lim 0
y0

0

Along the line y  0 (or x-axis)

xy x(0)
lim  lim 2 2
( x , y ) (0,0) x y
2 2 x 0 x 0

 lim 0
x0

0

Although we have obtained identical limits along the axes, it does not show that the given
limit is 0. Let’s approach (0,0) from another line, say y  mx .

Along the line y  mx :

xy x(mx)
lim  lim 2
( x , y )(0,0) x  y
2 2 x 0 x (mx) 2

mx 2
 lim
x  0 x 2 (1  m 2 )

m
 lim
x  0 (1  m 2 )

m

1  m2

x2
Since we obtained different limits along different paths, the lim does not exist.
( x , y )(0,0) x 2  y 2
 4 Chapter 1: Functions of Several Variables

Example 3

x2  y 2
Evaluate the limit of when ( x, y)  (0,0) .
x2  y 2  1 1

Solution

x2  y 2 x2  y 2 x2  y 2  1  1
lim  lim 
( x , y ) (0,0)
x2  y 2  1 1 ( x , y ) (0,0)
x2  y 2  1 1 x2  y 2  1  1

( x 2  y 2 )( x 2  y 2  1  1)
 lim
( x , y ) (0,0) x2  y 2
 lim x2  y 2  1  1
( x , y ) (0,0)

 02  02  1  1
2

Continuity of a Multivariable Function

 Definition
The function f ( x, y ) is continuous at the point ( x0 , y0 ) if and only if it satisfies all
these conditions.
i. f ( x0 , y0 ) is defined.
ii. lim f ( x, y ) exists.
( x , y )( x0, y0 )

iii. lim f ( x, y )  f ( x0 , y0 ) .
( x , y )( x0, y0 )

Example 1

xy 4  3
Determine whether the function f ( x, y )  is continuous at (0,0).
2  x2 y

Solution

(0)(0)4  3 3
f (0,0)  
2  (0) (0)
2
2
 5 Chapter 1: Functions of Several Variables

xy 4  3
lim f ( x, y )  lim
( x , y )(0,0) ( x , y )(0,0) 2  x 2 y

(0)(0) 4  3

2  (0) 2 (0)
3

2

3
 lim f ( x, y )  f (0,0)   , thus the function is continuous at (0,0).
( x , y )(0,0) 2

Example 2

Determine whether the following function is continuous at (0,0).

 x2  y2
 if ( x, y )  (0,0)
f ( x, y )   x 2  y 2
 0 if ( x, y )  (0,0)


Solution

f (0,0)  0

To find the limit for f ( x, y ) , let’s consider the limit of this function along the x-axis and y-
axis.

Along the line y  0 (x-axis),

x2  y 2 x 2  02
lim  lim  lim1  1
( x , y ) (0,0) x 2  y 2 x 0 x 2 02 x 0

When along the line x  0 (y-axis),

x2  y 2 02  y 2
lim  lim  lim 1  1
( x , y ) (0,0) x 2  y 2 y 0 0 2  y 2 y 0

x2  y2
Since f has different limits along different directions, thus, lim does not exist.
( x , y )(0,0) x 2  y 2

The function f ( x, y ) is not continuous at (0,0).