Functions
of two
variables:
Limit and
continuity
Limit
Limit
involving
Functions of two variables:
infinity Limit and continuity
Continuity
Limit,
continuity
for
functions
of three or
more Insa-Hue University of Education
variables
Thanks
Table of contents
Functions
of two
variables:
Limit and
continuity
1 Limit
Limit
Limit
involving
infinity
2 Limit involving infinity
Continuity
Limit,
continuity
for
functions
of three or
more
3 Continuity
variables
Thanks
4 Limit, continuity for functions of three or more variables
Domains of R2
Functions
of two
Definition
variables:
Limit and The distance between two points A(a, b), B(c, d) in the plane R2 is the length of the
continuity segment connecting A, B. Precisely
p
d(A, B) := (a − c)2 + (b − d)2 .
Limit
Limit
involving
infinity
Definition
The open disk of radius r > 0 centered at the point A = (a, b) is the set
Continuity
Limit, Dr (A) := {X = (x , y ) ∈ R2 : d(A, X ) < r }.
continuity
for The set D̄r (A) := {X = (x , y ) ∈ R2 : d(A, X ) ≤ r } is called the close disk of radius
functions r > 0 centered at A = (a, b).
of three or
more
variables
Definition
Thanks
The set D ⊂ R2 is called an open set if for any point A ∈ D, there exists a
positive number ϵ > 0 such that Dϵ (A) ⊂ D.
The set D ⊂ R2 is called a close set if R2 \ D is open.
Example
The open disks are open sets. The closed disks are close sets.
Definition
Let D be a subset of R2 . A subset E of D is said to be open in D if E = O ∩ D,
where O is an open set of R2 .
Domains of R2
Functions
of two
variables: Definition
Limit and
continuity A subset D ⊂ R2 is said to be connected if D cannot be written as a union of two
disjoint non-empty open subsets in D.
Limit
• Intuitively, “D is connected” means that for any two points in D, you can draw a
Limit curve entirely contained in D that connects them.
involving
infinity
Definition
Continuity
Limit,
A non-empty subset D ⊂ R2 is called a domain (in the plane) if the following
continuity conditions are satisfied:
for
functions D is open;
of three or
more D is connected.
variables
Thanks
Example
The open disks are domains.
The upper half-plane {(x , y ) ∈ R2 : y > 0} is a domain.
R is a domain.
Remark
From now on, we always assume that a subset D ⊂ R2 is a domain in R2 .
Limit
Functions
of two
variables: Definition
Limit and
continuity Suppose that (a, b) is a point in a domain D. Let f be a function of two variables
defined on D, possible minus the point (a, b). We say that the limit of f (x , y ) as
(x , y ) approaches (a, b) is L if
Limit
Limit
involving
∀ϵ > 0, ∃δ > 0 such that ∀(x , y ) ∈ D : 0 < d((a, b), (x , y )) < δ ⇒ |f (x , y ) − L| < ϵ.
infinity
Continuity
We often write
Limit,
continuity lim f (x , y ) = L or lim f (x , y ) = L or f (x , y ) → L as (x , y ) → (a, b).
for (x ,y )→(a,b) x →a,y →b
functions
of three or
more
variables • Intuitively, lim(x ,y )→(a,b) f (x , y ) = L means that we can make the value of f as
Thanks close to L as we want by choosing (x , y ) sufficiently close to (a, b).
Language of neighborhoods
Functions
of two
variables: Definition
Limit and
continuity 1 A neighborhood of a ∈ R is an open interval (a − ϵ, a + ϵ) for ϵ > 0.
2 A neighborhood of (a, b) ∈ R2 is an open disk of radius δ > 0 centered at (a, b).
Limit
3 A neighborhood of −∞ is an open set of the form (−∞, M) for some M ∈ R.
4 A neighborhood of ∞ is an open set of the form M, ∞ for some M ∈ R.
Limit
involving
infinity
Continuity
Remark
Limit,
lim(x ,y )→(a,b) = L means that for any neighborhood U of L, there exists a
continuity neighborhood V of (a, b) such that f (V \ {(a, b)}) ⊂ U.
for
functions
of three or
more
Example
variables
Evaluate
Thanks
1 lim(x ,y )→(0,0) xy ;
2 lim(x ,y )→(0,0) x 3 + y 3 ;
3 lim(x ,y )→(0,0) sin(x 2 + y 2 ).
Theorem
Let f , g, h be two functions of two variables from the same domain D. For (a, b) ∈ D,
if lim(x ,y )→(0,0) g(x , y ) = lim(x ,y )→(a,b) h(x , y ) = L and h(x , y ) ≤ f (x , y ) ≤ g(x , y )
for all (x , y ) in a neighborhood of (a, b), then lim(x ,y )→(a,b) f (x , y ) = L.
One variable vs two variables
Functions
of two
variables: Remark
Limit and
continuity 1 For the case of function f of one variable x , x approach x0 in only two directions:
left or right x0 .
2 For the case of function f of two variables x , y , (x , y ) approach (a, b) in several
Limit
directions.
Limit
involving
infinity
Continuity
Limit,
continuity
for
functions
of three or
more
• The definition of limit of functions of two variables refers only the distance between
variables (x , y ) and (a, b), and does not refer the direction of approach.
Thanks
• Hence if the limit lim(x ,y )→(a,b) f (x , y ) exists, f (x , y ) must approach the same limit,
no matter how (x , y ) approach (a, b).
Proposition
Let f be a function of two variables defined on a domain D and let (a, b) ∈ D.
Suppose that lim(x ,y )→(a,b) f (x , y ) = L. Then
For any continuous function u(x ) with limx →a u(x ) = b, we have
limx →a f (x , u(x )) = L.
For any continuous function v (y ) with limy →b v (y ) = a, we have
limy →b f (v (y ), y )) = L.
Limit of difference paths
Functions
of two
variables: Remark
Limit and
continuity If there are two difference paths approaching (a, b) along which the function f (x , y )
has difference limits, then the limit lim(x ,y )→(a,b) f (x , y ) does not exists.
Limit
Limit
Example
involving
infinity
Evaluate the following limits or show that they do not exist.
Continuity xy 2
1 lim(x ,y )→(0,0) ;
Limit, x2 + y2
continuity x 2 y 3 sin x
for 2 lim(x ,y )→(0,0) ;
functions x2 + y2
of three or
more
x2 − y2
3 lim(x ,y )→(0,0) ;
variables x2 + y2
Thanks xy 2
4 lim(x ,y )→(0,0) .
x2 + y4
Limit of difference paths
Functions
of two
variables: Remark
Limit and
continuity If there are two difference paths approaching (a, b) along which the function f (x , y )
has difference limits, then the limit lim(x ,y )→(a,b) f (x , y ) does not exists.
Limit
Limit
Example
involving
infinity
Evaluate the following limits or show that they do not exist.
Continuity xy 2
1 lim(x ,y )→(0,0) ;
Limit, x2 + y2
continuity x 2 y 3 sin x
for 2 lim(x ,y )→(0,0) ;
functions x2 + y2
of three or
more
x2 − y2
3 lim(x ,y )→(0,0) ;
variables x2 + y2
Thanks xy 2
4 lim(x ,y )→(0,0) .
x2 + y4
• Hint
x2 + y2
1 Using |xy | ≤
2
x2 + y2
2 Using |xy | ≤ and | sin x | ≤ 1;
2
3 Consider two paths: u(x ) = 0 and v (y ) = 0;
4 Consider two paths: u(x ) = x and v (y ) = y 2 .
Using polar coordinate
Functions
of two
variables: Remark
Limit and
continuity x = r cos θ
Sometime, it is more convenient to use the polar coordinate:
y = r sin θ,
Limit note that
Limit
((x , y ) → (0, 0)) ⇔ (r → 0, θ arbitrary).
involving
infinity
Continuity Example
Limit,
continuity Evaluate the following limits or show that they do not exist, using polar coordinate
for
functions xy
of three or lim .
more (x ,y )→(0,0) x2 + y2
variables
Thanks
Basis properties
Functions
of two • As in the one variable case, we have
variables:
Limit and
continuity Proposition
Suppose that (a, b) is a point in a domain D. Let f , g be two functions of two
Limit variables defined on D, possible minus the point (a, b). Assume that
Limit
involving lim f (x , y ) = L1 , lim g(x , y ) = L2 .
infinity (x ,y )→(a,b) (x ,y )→(a,b)
Continuity
Then
Limit,
continuity 1 lim(x ,y )→(a,b) [f (x , y ) + g(x , y )] = L1 + L2 ;
for
functions 2 lim(x ,y )→(a,b) [λf (x , y )] = λL1 ;
of three or 3 lim(x ,y )→(a,b) [f (x , y )g(x , y )] = L1 L2
more
variables 4 If g(x , y ) ̸= 0 in a neighborhood of (a, b) and L2 ̸= 0, then
Thanks lim(x ,y )→(a,b) [f (x , y )/g(x , y )] = L1 /L2 .
Limit at infinity
Functions
of two
variables: Definition
Limit and
continuity Suppose that (a, b) is a point in a domain D. Let f be a function of two variables
defined on D, possible minus the point (a, b). We say that the limit of f (x , y ) as
(x , y ) approaches (a, b) is ∞ if
Limit
Limit ∀M ∈ R, ∃δ > 0 such that ∀(x , y ) ∈ D : 0 < d((a, b), (x , y )) < δ ⇒ f (x , y ) > M.
involving
infinity
Continuity
We often write
Limit,
continuity
lim f (x , y ) = ∞ or lim f (x , y ) = ∞ or f (x , y ) → ∞ as (x , y ) → (a, b).
(x ,y )→(a,b) x →a,y →b
for
functions
of three or
more
variables
Definition
Thanks
Suppose that (a, b) is a point in a domain D. Let f be a function of two variables
defined on D, possible minus the point (a, b). We say that the limit of f (x , y ) as
(x , y ) approaches (a, b) is −∞ if
∀M ∈ R, ∃δ > 0 such that ∀(x , y ) ∈ D : 0 < d((a, b), (x , y )) < δ ⇒ f (x , y ) < M.
Remark
Use the language of neighborhoods to remember!!!
Continuity
Functions
of two
variables:
Definition
Limit and Let f : D → R be a function of two variables. Suppose that (a, b) is a point in D. We
continuity
say that f is continuous at (a, b) if
lim f (x , y ) = f (a, b),
Limit (x ,y )→(a,b)
Limit
involving namely
infinity
Continuity
∀ϵ > 0, ∃δ > 0 such that ∀(x , y ) ∈ D : 0 < d((a, b), (x , y )) < δ ⇒ |f (x , y )−f (a, b)| < ϵ.
Limit, We say that f is continuous on the domain D if it is continuous at any point of D.
continuity
for
functions • Intuitively, f is continuous means that if (x , y ) changes a small amount, then
of three or f (x , y ) also changes a small amount. As in the case of one variable, we have
more
variables
Proposition
Thanks
Constant functions are always continuous;
Sum or difference of two continuous functions is continuous;
Product of two continuous functions is continuous;
Quotient of two continuous functions is continuous in its domain of definition.
Example
1 A polynomial of two variables is continuous on the plane;
2 A rational function of two variables (quotient of two polynomials) is continuous
at any point where the denominator is not zero.
Continuity
Functions
of two
variables: Example
Limit and
continuity
1 The function f (x , y ) = x 3 y 2 + 2xy − 4 is continuous on the plane R2 ;
x 2 − 3x + 7
2 The function f (x , y ) = is continuous at any point except (0, 0).
Limit
x2 + y2
Limit
involving
infinity
Example
Continuity
Limit,
Find a ∈ R such that the following functions is continuous at (0, 0)
continuity
xy 2
(
for
functions
, (x , y ) ̸= (0, 0);
of three or
1 f (x , y ) = x2+ y2
more a , (x , y ) = (0, 0).
variables
x4 − y4
(
Thanks , (x , y ) ̸= (0, 0);
2 f (x , y ) = x 4 + y 4
a , (x , y ) = (0, 0).
( 2
x sin(y 2 )
, (x , y ) ̸= (0, 0);
3 f (x , y ) = x 2 + 3y 2
a , (x , y ) = (0, 0).
Continuity
Functions
of two
variables: Example
Limit and
continuity
1 The function f (x , y ) = x 3 y 2 + 2xy − 4 is continuous on the plane R2 ;
x 2 − 3x + 7
2 The function f (x , y ) = is continuous at any point except (0, 0).
Limit
x2 + y2
Limit
involving
infinity
Example
Continuity
Limit,
Find a ∈ R such that the following functions is continuous at (0, 0)
continuity
xy 2
(
for
functions
, (x , y ) ̸= (0, 0);
of three or
1 f (x , y ) = x2+ y2
more a , (x , y ) = (0, 0).
variables
x4 − y4
(
Thanks , (x , y ) ̸= (0, 0);
2 f (x , y ) = x 4 + y 4
a , (x , y ) = (0, 0).
( 2
x sin(y 2 )
, (x , y ) ̸= (0, 0);
3 f (x , y ) = x 2 + 3y 2
a , (x , y ) = (0, 0).
• Hint: If the limit lim(x ,y )→(0,0) f (x , y ) does not exist, then you can not find any a.
If the limit exists, then put a = lim(x ,y )→(0,0) f (x , y ). For case 1, 3, use sandwich
Theorem, for case 2, use two difference paths.
Limit, continuity for functions of three or more variables
Functions
of two • To develop the concepts of limit and continuity for functions of n variable, we fist
variables:
Limit and
define the distance between two points on Rn .
continuity
Definition
Limit
Let A = (a1 , . . . , an ), B = (b1 , . . . , bn ) be two points of Rn . The distance between
A, B is defined as
Limit v
involving u n
infinity uX
Continuity
d(A, B) := t (ai − bi )2 .
Limit,
i=1
continuity
for
functions
of three or
• The concept of domain of Rn , limit, continuity of functions of n variables can be
more defined similarly as in the case of two variables. For example, the limit of the function
variables
f (x1 , . . . , xn ) on a domain D of Rn as X = (x1 , . . . , xn ) approaches A = (a1 , . . . , an ) is
Thanks
L if
∀ϵ > 0, ∃δ > 0 such that ∀X = (x1 , . . . , xn ) ∈ D : 0 < d(A, X ) < δ ⇒ |f (x , y ) − L| < ϵ.
Functions
of two
variables:
Limit and
continuity
Limit
Limit
involving
infinity
Continuity
Limit,
continuity
End- See you next week!
for
functions
of three or
more
variables
Thanks
