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 side
x  x0

(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

 Thus, in order to find the limit of a multivariable function, we can use several approaches as
suggested as follows:

Some Possible Approaches to Find the Limit of Multivariable Function

To find the lim f ( x) , some approaches can be tried out.
( x , y )( x0 , y0 )

1st Approach: Determine whether is f ( x 0 , y0 ) defined. If not, try 2nd approach.

2nd Approach: Simplify the f ( x, y ) and check again whether f ( x 0 , y0 ) is defined. If
not, try the 3rd approach.
3rd Approach: Show that the limit of the function f ( x, y ) does not exist.
To show the limit does not exist, choose any two smooth curves (or lines)
which pass through the point ( x 0 , y0 ) , and show that their values are not
the same from these two directions. Hence, conclude that the limit for
function f ( x, y ) does 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) 2
x  y2

Solution

(a) 1st Approach: f (0,0)  ln[1  (0)2 (0)3 ]  ln(1)  0

Thus, lim ln(1  x 2 y 3 )  0 .
( x , y )(0,0)

04  04 0
(b) 1st Approach: f (0,0)   (which is undefined)
02  02 0
x4  y4 ( x 2  y 2 )( x 2  y 2 )
2nd Approach: lim  lim
( x , y )(0,0) x 2  y 2 ( x , y )(0,0) x2  y2
 lim ( x 2  y 2 )
( x , y )(0,0)

 lim (02  02 )
( x , y )(0,0)

0
 3 Chapter 1: Functions of Several Variables

Example 2

Evaluate lim 2 xy along the paths y  2, x  1, and y  2 x, and show that these values are all
( x , y )(1,2)

the same.

Solution

Along the path y  2 :

lim 2 xy  lim 2 x(2)

( x , y )(1,2) ( x ,2)(1,2)

 lim 4 x
( x ,2)(1,2)

 lim 4(1)
( x ,2)(1,2)

=4

Along the path x  1 :

lim 2 xy  lim 2(1) y

(1, y )(1,2) ( x , y )(1,2)

 lim 2 y
(1, y )(1,2)

 lim 2(2)
(1, y )(1,2)

=4

Along the path y  2 x :

lim 2 xy  lim 2 x(2 x)

( x , y )(1,2) ( x ,2 x )(1,2)

 lim 4 x2
( x ,2 x )(1,2)

 lim 4(1)2
( x ,2 x )(1,2)

=4

Note: Although the limits along different directions are the same, it is not enough to conclude that a
limit exists, as we have to evaluate the limit along every path.
 4 Chapter 1: Functions of Several Variables

Example 3

x2
Evaluate lim if it exists. If not, show that the limit does not exist.
( x , y )(0,0) x 2  y 2

Solution

02 0
1st Approach: f (0,0)   (which is undefined)
0 0
2 2
0

x2
2nd Approach: lim cannot be simplified
( x , y )(0,0) x 2  y 2

Note: After the 1st and 2nd approaches failed, most probably the limit of the function does not exist.

Now, choose any two smooth curves or lines, which passes 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) .

Along the line x  0 (or y-axis):

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

 lim 0
(0, y )(0,0)

=0

Along the line y  x :

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

x2
 lim
( x , x )(0,0) 2 x 2

1
 lim
( x , x )(0,0) 2

1

2

x2
Since the limits along the line x  0 and y  x are not the same, thus the lim does not
( x , y )(0,0) x 2  y 2

exist.
 5 Chapter 1: Functions of Several Variables

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

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

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

3
lim f ( x, y )  f (0,0)   , thus the function is continuous at (0,0).
( x , y )(0,0) 2
 6 Chapter 1: Functions of Several Variables

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 for this function along the x-axis and y-axis.

When along the line y  0 (x-axis),

x2  y2 x 2  02
lim  lim 1
( x , y )(0,0) x 2  y 2 ( x ,0)(0,0) x 2 02

When along the line x  0 (y-axis),

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

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).