Math 2011-Introduction to Multivariable Calculus (Edited by Dr.

Hon-Ming HO)
Practice Exercises 7: Limits and Continuity in Higher Dimensions

Theorem (Algebraic Properties of Limits of Functions of Two Variables):

Assume that
lim 𝑓(𝑥, 𝑦) = 𝐿 (𝑒𝑥𝑖𝑠𝑡𝑠) lim 𝑔(𝑥, 𝑦) = 𝑀 (𝑒𝑥𝑖𝑠𝑡𝑠)
(𝑥,𝑦)→(𝑥0 ,𝑦0 ) (𝑥,𝑦)→(𝑥0 ,𝑦0 )

where 𝐿 and 𝑀 are two real numbers. Then we have the following:
1) (Addition Rule) lim ( 𝑓(𝑥, 𝑦) + 𝑔(𝑥, 𝑦) ) = 𝐿 + 𝑀 .
(𝑥,𝑦)→(𝑥0 ,𝑦0 )

2) (Subtraction Rule) lim ( 𝑓(𝑥, 𝑦) − 𝑔(𝑥, 𝑦) ) = 𝐿 − 𝑀 .

(𝑥,𝑦)→(𝑥0 ,𝑦0 )

3) (Product Rule) lim ( 𝑓(𝑥, 𝑦) × 𝑔(𝑥, 𝑦) ) = 𝐿 × 𝑀 .

(𝑥,𝑦)→(𝑥0 ,𝑦0 )

𝑓(𝑥,𝑦) 𝐿
4) (Quotient Rule) lim ( )= 𝑝𝑟𝑜𝑣𝑖𝑑𝑒𝑑 𝑡ℎ𝑎𝑡 𝑀 ≠ 0 .
(𝑥,𝑦)→(𝑥0 ,𝑦0 ) 𝑔(𝑥,𝑦) 𝑀

𝑟/𝑠
5) (Power Rule) lim ( 𝑓(𝑥, 𝑦) ) = 𝐿𝑟/𝑠 where 𝑟 and 𝑠 are integers with no common factors and 𝑠 ≠ 0 ,
(𝑥,𝑦)→(𝑥0 ,𝑦0 )

we also assume that 𝐿𝑟/𝑠 is a real number. If 𝑠 is even, we assume that 𝐿 > 0 .

6) (General Exponential Rule) lim 𝑒 𝑓(𝑥,𝑦) = 𝑒𝐿 .

(𝑥,𝑦)→(𝑥0 ,𝑦0 )

7) (General Cosine Rule) lim cos( 𝑓(𝑥, 𝑦) ) = cos 𝐿 .

(𝑥,𝑦)→(𝑥0 ,𝑦0 )

8) (General Sine Rule) lim sin( 𝑓(𝑥, 𝑦) ) = sin 𝐿 .

(𝑥,𝑦)→(𝑥0 ,𝑦0 )

9) (General Logarithmic Rule) lim ln |𝑓(𝑥, 𝑦)| = ln |𝐿| provided that 𝐿 ≠ 0 and function 𝑓(𝑥, 𝑦) is never
(𝑥,𝑦)→(𝑥0 ,𝑦0 )

equal to zero in an open deleted neighborhood of the point (𝑥0 , 𝑦0 ) .

Exercise 1:

Find the following limits:

𝑥 2 +𝑦 3
1) lim cos ( )
(𝑥,𝑦)→(0 ,0) 𝑥+𝑦+1

2) lim ln|1 + 𝑥 2 𝑦 2 |
(𝑥,𝑦)→(1 ,1)

3
3) lim √|𝑥𝑦| − 1
(𝑥,𝑦)→(1 ,1)
(cos 𝑦)+1
4) lim
(𝑥,𝑦)→( ,0) 𝑦−sin 𝑥
𝜋
2

Solution to Exercise 1:

Evaluating limits of functions is a kind of pattern recognition, recognizing which limit rules are to be applied at different steps.

Part 1):

Practice Exercises 7 (edited by Dr. Hon-Ming HO)-page 1

1) Things to do: Recognize pattern of the function expression inside the limit sign. Can the given function be written as a sum of
two parts, or difference of two parts, or product of two parts, or quotient of two parts … and so on. In this example, the
𝑥 2 +𝑦 3 𝑥 2 +𝑦 3
function inside the limit notation is cos ( ) . Identify the pattern of cos ( ) .
𝑥+𝑦+1 𝑥+𝑦+1

(Constant Multiple Rule)

(General power rule)
𝑘♦ ∆
ῧ
(General logarithmic rule) (General exponential rule)
?
ln | ῧ | ? ?
▭1
? 𝑒ῧ
(÷ Rule) ▭1 + ▭2 (+ Rule)
▭2
? ?
? ?
?
(▭1 ) ∙ (▭2 ) sin ῧ cos ῧ

(× Rule) (General sine rule) (General cosine rule)

▭1 and ▭2 are expressions in terms of 𝑥 and 𝑦 . ῧ , ῧ , ῧ , ῧ , ῧ are expressions in terms of 𝑥 and 𝑦 .

𝑥 2 +𝑦 3 𝑥 2 +𝑦 3
Since cos ( ) = cos ῧ , where ῧ = , the general cosine rule is one of possible limit rule to be applied.
𝑥+𝑦+1 𝑥+𝑦+1

Then we have
𝑥 2 + 𝑦3 𝑥 2 + 𝑦3
lim cos ( )= lim cos ( ῧ ) = cos ( lim ῧ ) = cos ( lim )
(𝑥,𝑦)→(0 ,0) 𝑥+𝑦+1 (𝑥,𝑦)→(0 ,0) (𝑥,𝑦)→(0 ,0) (𝑥,𝑦)→(0 ,0) 𝑥 + 𝑦 + 1

provided that lim ῧ exists as a real number.

(𝑥,𝑦)→(0 ,0)

𝑥 2 +𝑦 3
2) Things to do: Check whether or not lim ῧ = lim exists as a real number. Again we enter into the process
(𝑥,𝑦)→(0 ,0) (𝑥,𝑦)→(0 ,0) 𝑥+𝑦+1

𝑥 2 +𝑦 3
of pattern recognition. Identify the pattern of .
𝑥+𝑦+1

(Constant Multiple Rule)

(General power rule)
𝑘♦ ∆
ῧ
(General logarithmic rule) (General exponential rule)
?
ln | ῧ | ? ?
▭1
? 𝑒ῧ
(÷ Rule) ▭1 + ▭2 (+ Rule)
▭2
? ?
? ?
?
(▭1 ) ∙ (▭2 ) sin ῧ cos ῧ

(× Rule) (General sine rule) (General cosine rule)

▭1 and ▭2 are expressions in terms of 𝑥 and 𝑦 . ῧ , ῧ , ῧ , ῧ , ῧ are expressions in terms of 𝑥 and 𝑦 .

𝑥 2 +𝑦 3 ▭1
Since = , we may use quotient rule for computing limits. Be careful! To apply the quotient rule, make sure that
𝑥+𝑦+1 ▭2

the limit of the denominator is not equal to zero. Otherwise, quotient rule is not applicable.
𝑥 2 + 𝑦3 lim 𝑥2 + lim 𝑦3 02 + 03 0
(𝑥,𝑦)→(0 ,0) (𝑥,𝑦)→(0 ,0)
lim ῧ = lim = = = =0 .
(𝑥,𝑦)→(0 ,0) (𝑥,𝑦)→(0 ,0) 𝑥 + 𝑦 + 1 lim 𝑥+ lim 𝑦+1 0+0+1 1
(𝑥,𝑦)→(0 ,0) (𝑥,𝑦)→(0 ,0)

Conclusion:

𝑥2 + 𝑦3 𝑥 2 + 𝑦3
lim cos ( )= lim cos ( ῧ ) = cos ( lim ῧ ) = cos ( lim ) = cos 0 = 1 .
(𝑥,𝑦)→(0 ,0) 𝑥+𝑦+1 (𝑥,𝑦)→(0 ,0) (𝑥,𝑦)→(0 ,0) (𝑥,𝑦)→(0 ,0) 𝑥 + 𝑦 + 1

Practice Exercises 7 (edited by Dr. Hon-Ming HO)-page 2

Part 2):

1) Things to do: Recognize pattern of the function expression inside the limit sign. Can the given function be written as a sum of
two parts, or difference of two parts, or product of two parts, or quotient of two parts … and so on. In this example, the
function inside the limit notation is ln|1 + 𝑥 2 𝑦 2 | . Identify the pattern of ln|1 + 𝑥 2 𝑦 2 | .

(Constant Multiple Rule)

(General power rule)
𝑘♦ ∆
ῧ
(General logarithmic rule) (General exponential rule)
?
ln | ῧ | ? ?
▭1
? 𝑒ῧ
(÷ Rule) ▭1 + ▭2 (+ Rule)
▭2
? ?
? ?
?
(▭1 ) ∙ (▭2 ) sin ῧ cos ῧ

(× Rule) (General sine rule) (General cosine rule)

▭1 and ▭2 are expressions in terms of 𝑥 and 𝑦 . ῧ , ῧ , ῧ , ῧ , ῧ are expressions in terms of 𝑥 and 𝑦 .

Since ln|1 + 𝑥 2 𝑦 2 | = ln| ῧ | , where ῧ = 1 + 𝑥 2 𝑦 2 , the general logarithmic rule is one of possible limit rule to be applied.
Then we have

lim ln|1 + 𝑥 2 𝑦 2 | = lim ln| ῧ | = ln | lim ῧ | = ln | lim (1 + 𝑥 2 𝑦 2 )|

(𝑥,𝑦)→(1 ,1) (𝑥,𝑦)→(1 ,1) (𝑥,𝑦)→(1 ,1) (𝑥,𝑦)→(1 ,1)

provided that lim ῧ exists as a real number and ῧ is never equal to zero near the point (1,1) .
(𝑥,𝑦)→(1 ,1)

2) Things to do: Check whether or not lim ῧ = lim (1 + 𝑥 2 𝑦 2 ) exists as a real number. Again we enter into the
(𝑥,𝑦)→(1 ,1) (𝑥,𝑦)→(1 ,1)

process of pattern recognition. Identify the pattern of 1 + 𝑥 2 𝑦 2 .

(Constant Multiple Rule)

(General power rule)
𝑘♦ ∆
ῧ
(General logarithmic rule) (General exponential rule)
?
𝑙𝑛 ῧ ? ?
▭1
? 𝑒ῧ
(÷ Rule) ▭1 + ▭2 (+ Rule)
▭2
? ?
? ?
?
(▭1 ) ∙ (▭2 ) sin ῧ cos ῧ

(× Rule) (General sine rule) (General cosine rule)

▭1 and ▭2 are expressions in terms of 𝑥 and 𝑦 . ῧ , ῧ , ῧ , ῧ , ῧ are expressions in terms of 𝑥 and 𝑦 .

Since 1 + 𝑥 2 𝑦 2 = ▭1 + ▭2 , we may use addition rule for computing limits and then follows by product rule.

lim ῧ = lim (1 + 𝑥 2 𝑦 2 ) = ( lim 1) + ( lim 𝑥 2) ( lim 𝑦 2 ) = 1 + (12 )(12 ) = 2 .

(𝑥,𝑦)→(1 ,1) (𝑥,𝑦)→(1 ,1) (𝑥,𝑦)→(1 ,1) (𝑥,𝑦)→(1 ,1) (𝑥,𝑦)→(1 ,1)

Conclusion:

lim ln|1 + 𝑥 2 𝑦 2 | = lim ln| ῧ | = ln | lim ῧ | = ln | lim (1 + 𝑥 2 𝑦 2 )| = ln|2| .

(𝑥,𝑦)→(1 ,1) (𝑥,𝑦)→(1 ,1) (𝑥,𝑦)→(1 ,1) (𝑥,𝑦)→(1 ,1)

Part 3): The answer is zero. Part 4): The answer is −2 .

Practice Exercises 7 (edited by Dr. Hon-Ming HO)-page 3

Exercise 2:

Find limits of

√2𝑥−𝑦−2
1) lim
(𝑥,𝑦)→(2 ,0) 2𝑥−𝑦−4
2𝑥−𝑦≠4

√𝑥−√𝑦+1
2) lim
(𝑥,𝑦)→(4 ,3) 𝑥−𝑦−1
𝑥−𝑦≠1

Answers of Exercise 2:

1
Both limits are equal to . Why?
4

Exercise 3:

Determine at what points (𝑥0 , 𝑦0 ) in the plane the given functions below are continuous.

a) 𝑧 = 𝑓(𝑥, 𝑦) = sin(𝑥 + 𝑦)
1
b) 𝑧 = 𝑓(𝑥, 𝑦) = sin( )
𝑥𝑦
𝑥+𝑦
c) 𝑧 = 𝑓(𝑥, 𝑦) =
2+cos 𝑥
1
d) 𝑧 = 𝑓(𝑥, 𝑦) =
𝑥 2 −𝑦

Solution to Exercise 3:

Things to do: Find values of 𝑥0 and 𝑦0 such that (1) 𝑓(𝑥0 , 𝑦0 ) is well-defined and (2) equation
lim 𝑓(𝑥, 𝑦) = 𝑓(𝑥0 , 𝑦0 )
(𝑥 ,𝑦)→(𝑥0 , 𝑦0 )

holds.

Functions: Well-definedness of Equation: lim 𝑓(𝑥, 𝑦) = 𝑓(𝑥0 , 𝑦0 ) Conclusion:

𝒇(𝑥0 , 𝑦0 ) :
𝑧 = 𝑓(𝑥, 𝑦) = sin(𝑥 + 𝑦) No matter what values
of 𝑥0 and 𝑦0 are,
expression sin(𝑥0 +
𝑦0 ) represents a real
number.
1 We know that
1
is not
𝑧 = 𝑓(𝑥, 𝑦) = sin( ) 0
𝑥𝑦
a real number. It is an
undefined symbol in
mathematics. So 𝑓 is
(𝑥 ,𝑦)→(𝑥0 , 𝑦0 )
No matter what values of 𝑥0 and 𝑦0 are, The given function is
the following equation holds continuous at every
lim sin(𝑥 + 𝑦) = 𝑠𝑖𝑛(𝑥0 + 𝑦0 ) . point of the 𝑥𝑦 -
(𝑥 ,𝑦)→(𝑥0 , 𝑦0 )
plane.
If 𝑥0 ≠ 0 and 𝑦0 ≠ 0 , then the following The given function is
equation holds continuous at every
1 1 point of the 𝑥𝑦-plane
lim sin( ) = 𝑠𝑖𝑛 ( ).
(𝑥 ,𝑦)→(𝑥0 , 𝑦0 ) 𝑥𝑦 𝑥0 𝑦0
except those points

well-defined lying on the 𝒙 -axis

everywhere except and 𝒚-axis.

those points lying on

the 𝒙-axis and 𝒚-axis.

Practice Exercises 7 (edited by Dr. Hon-Ming HO)-page 4

 𝑥+𝑦 We know that No matter what values of 𝑥0 and 𝑦0 are, The given function is
𝑧 = 𝑓(𝑥, 𝑦) =
2 + cos 𝑥
|cos 𝑥| ≤ 1 . So the the following equation holds continuous at every
denominator 2+ 𝑥+𝑦 𝑥0 + 𝑦0 point of the 𝑥𝑦 -
lim = .
(𝑥 ,𝑦)→(𝑥0 , 𝑦0 ) 2 + cos 𝑥 2 + cos 𝑥0
cos 𝑥 ≠ 0 is never plane.
equal to zero. So 𝑓 is
well-defined
everywhere.
1 We know that
1
is not If 𝑦0 ≠ (𝑥0 )2 , then the quotient rule for The given function is
𝑧 = 𝑓(𝑥, 𝑦) = 0
𝑥2 − 𝑦
a real number. It is an computing limits of functions is applicable. continuous at every

undefined symbol in Thus the following equation holds point of the 𝑥𝑦-plane
1 1 except those points
mathematics. So 𝑓 is lim =
(𝑥 ,𝑦)→(𝑥0 , 𝑦0 ) 𝑥 2 − 𝑦 (𝑥0 )2 − 𝑦0
well-defined lying on parabola
2
provided that 𝑦0 ≠ (𝑥0 ) .
everywhere except 𝒚 = 𝒙𝟐 .

those points lying on

parabola 𝒚 = 𝒙𝟐 .

Exercise 4:

Show that the following functions have no limit as (𝑥, 𝑦) → (0 ,0) :

𝑥4
a) 𝑓(𝑥, 𝑦) = ,
𝑥 4 +𝑦 4
𝑥𝑦
b) 𝑓(𝑥, 𝑦) = ,
|𝑥𝑦|
𝑥+𝑦
c) 𝑓(𝑥, 𝑦) = .
𝑥−𝑦

Solution to Exercise 4:

Things to do: To show the non-existence of limit of the given function, use two-path test. (Remember: if you want to show
that the limit of a certain function exists, do not use the two-path test.) Construct two different paths on the 𝑥𝑦-plane leading
to the origin (𝑥, 𝑦) → (0 ,0) such that the two limits along the two proposed paths are totally different.
Limit along the 1st path: Limit along the 2nd path: Conclusion by using the two-
path test:
(a) The 1st testing path is to take 𝑥 = 0 and The 2nd testing path is to take 𝑦 = 0 . Since the limits along the
𝑦 → 0+ . That is, we take the path along That is, we take the path along the 𝑥-axis two proposed paths are
the positive 𝑦 -axis approaching the approaching the origin. different from each other,
origin. we can say that
𝑥4 04 𝑥4 𝑥4 𝑥4
lim = lim lim = lim lim
(𝑥,𝑦)→(0 ,0) 𝑥 4 + 𝑦 4 (𝑥,𝑦)→(0 ,0) 04 + 𝑦 4 (𝑥,𝑦)→(0 ,0) 𝑥 4 + 𝑦 4 (𝑥,𝑦)→(0 ,0) 𝑥 4 + 04 (𝑥,𝑦)→(0 ,0) 𝑥 4 + 𝑦 4
𝑎𝑙𝑜𝑛𝑔 𝑥=0 𝑎𝑙𝑜𝑛𝑔 𝑥=0 𝑎𝑙𝑜𝑛𝑔 𝑦=0 𝑎𝑙𝑜𝑛𝑔 𝑦=0
𝑦→0+ 𝑦→0+ 𝑥≠0 𝑥≠0 does not exist.
= lim 0= 0. = lim 1= 1.
(𝑥,𝑦)→(0 ,0) (𝑥,𝑦)→(0 ,0)
𝑎𝑙𝑜𝑛𝑔 𝑥=0 𝑎𝑙𝑜𝑛𝑔 𝑦=0
𝑦→0+ 𝑥≠0

Practice Exercises 7 (edited by Dr. Hon-Ming HO)-page 5

(b) The 1st testing path is to take 𝑦 = 𝑥 The 2nd testing path is to take 𝑦 = −𝑥 Since the limits along the
approaching the origin but never approaching the origin but never two proposed paths are
touching the origin. touching the origin. different from each other,
𝑥𝑦 𝑥2 𝑥𝑦 −𝑥 2 we can say that
lim = lim =1. lim = lim
(𝑥,𝑦)→(0 ,0) |𝑥𝑦| (𝑥,𝑦)→(0 ,0) |𝑥 2 | (𝑥,𝑦)→(0 ,0) |𝑥𝑦| (𝑥,𝑦)→(0 ,0) |−𝑥 2 | 𝑥𝑦
𝑎𝑙𝑜𝑛𝑔 𝑦=𝑥 𝑎𝑙𝑜𝑛𝑔 𝑦=𝑥 𝑎𝑙𝑜𝑛𝑔 𝑦=𝑥 𝑎𝑙𝑜𝑛𝑔 𝑦=−𝑥 lim
(𝑥,𝑦)→(0 ,0) |𝑥𝑦|
= −1 .
does not exist.
Note that |−𝑥 2 | = |−1| ∙ |𝑥 2 | = 𝑥 2 .
(c) The 1st testing path is to take 𝑥 = 0 and The 2nd testing path is to take 𝑦 = 0 . Since the limits along the
+
𝑦→0 . That is, we take the path along That is, we take the path along the 𝑥-axis two proposed paths are
the positive 𝑦 -axis approaching the approaching the origin. different from each other,
origin. we can say that
𝑥+𝑦 0+𝑦 𝑥+𝑦 𝑥+0 𝑥+𝑦
lim = lim lim = lim lim
(𝑥,𝑦)→(0 ,0) 𝑥 − 𝑦 (𝑥,𝑦)→(0 ,0) 0 − 𝑦 (𝑥,𝑦)→(0 ,0) 𝑥 − 𝑦 (𝑥,𝑦)→(0 ,0) 𝑥 − 0 (𝑥,𝑦)→(0 ,0) 𝑥 − 𝑦
𝑎𝑙𝑜𝑛𝑔 𝑥=0 𝑎𝑙𝑜𝑛𝑔 𝑥=0 𝑎𝑙𝑜𝑛𝑔 𝑦=0 𝑎𝑙𝑜𝑛𝑔 𝑦=0
𝑦→0+ 𝑦→0+ 𝑥≠0 𝑥≠0 does not exist.
= lim −1 = −1 . = lim 1= 1.
(𝑥,𝑦)→(0 ,0) (𝑥,𝑦)→(0 ,0)
𝑎𝑙𝑜𝑛𝑔 𝑥=0 𝑎𝑙𝑜𝑛𝑔 𝑦=0
𝑦→0+ 𝑥≠0

Practice Exercises 7 (edited by Dr. Hon-Ming HO)-page 6