Stewart Calculus ET 5e 0534393217;14. Partial Derivatives; 14.

2 Limits and Continuity

1. In general, we cant say anything about f (3,1) !

(x,y)

lim
(3,1)

f (x,y)=6 means that the values of f (x,y)

(x,y)

approach 6 as (x,y) approaches, but is not equal to, (3,1) . If f is continuous, we know that lim f (x,y)= f (a,b) , so lim f (x,y)= f (3,1)=6 .
(a,b) (x,y) (3,1)

2. (a) The outdoor temperature as a function of longitude, latitude, and time is continuous. Small changes in longitude, latitude, or time can produce only small changes in temperature, as the temperature doesnt jump abruptly from one value to another. (b) Elevation is not necessarily continuous. If we think of a cliff with a sudden drop off, a very small change in longitude or latitude can produce a comparatively large change in elevation, without all the intermediate values being attained. Elevation can jump from one value to another. (c) The cost of a taxi ride is usually discontinuous. The cost normally increases in jumps, so small changes in distance traveled or time can produce a jump in cost. A graph of the function would show breaks in the surface. x y +x y 5 3. We make a table of values of f (x,y)= for a set of (x,y) points near the origin. 2 xy
2 3 3 2

As the table shows, the values of f (x,y) seem to approach 2.5 as (x,y) approaches the origin from a variety of different directions. This suggests that lim f (x,y)= 2.5 . ( x,y ) ( 0,0 ) Since f is a rational function, it is continuous on its domain. f is defined at (0,0) , so we can use 0 0 +0 0 5 5 direct substitution to establish that lim f (x,y)= = , verifying our guess. 2 0 0 2 ( x,y ) ( 0,0 ) 4. We make a table of values of f (x,y)= 2xy x +2 y
2 2 2 3 3 2

for a set of (x,y) points near the origin.

Stewart Calculus ET 5e 0534393217;14. Partial Derivatives; 14.2 Limits and Continuity

It appears from the table that the values of f (x,y) are not approaching a single value as (x,y) approaches the origin. For verification, if we first approach (0,0) along the x axis, we have f (x,0)=0 , so f (x,y) f (x,y) not exist. 5. f (x,y)=x +4x y 5xy is a polynomial, and hence continuous, so lim f (x,y)= f ( 5, 2 ) =5 +4 ( 5) ( 2 ) 5 ( 5) ( 2 ) =2025 . ( x,y ) ( 5, 2 ) 6. x 2 y is a polynomial and therefore continuous. Since cos t is a continuous function, the composition cos (x 2 y) is also continuous. xy is also a polynomial, and hence continuous, so the product f (x,y)=xycos (x 2 y) is a continuous function. Then lim f (x,y)= f (6,3)= ( 6 ) ( 3) cos ( 6 2 3) =18 . x,y 6,3 ( ) ( ) 7. f (x,y)=x / x + y . First approach (0,0) along the x axis. Then f (x,0)=x /x =1 for x 0 , so f (x,y) 1 . Now approach (0,0) along the y axis. Then for y 0 , f (0,y)=0 , so f (x,y) 0 . Since f has two different limits along two different lines, the limit does not exist. 8. f (x,y)= x +sin y / 2x + y x 0 , so f (x,y) and lim
2 5 3 2 5 3 2

0 . But if we approach (0,0) along the line y=x , f (x,x)=

2x
2

2 2

x +2x

2 ( x 0 ), so 3

2 . Since f approaches different values along different paths to the origin, this limit does 3

)(

) . First approach ( 0,0 ) along the x axis. Then f (x,0)=x2/2x2= 1 2

2

for
2

1 sin y . Next approach ( 0,0 ) along the y axis. For y 0 , f (0,y)= = 2 2 y

sin y y

sin y =1 , so f (x,y) y y 0 does not exist.

1 . Since f has two different limits along two different lines, the limit

Stewart Calculus ET 5e 0534393217;14. Partial Derivatives; 14.2 Limits and Continuity

9. f (x,y)=(xycos y)/(3x + y ) . On the x axis, f ( x,0 ) =0 for x 0 , so f (x,y) 0 as ( x,y ) ( 0,0 ) along 2 2 1 the x axis. Approaching ( 0,0 ) along the line y=x , f (x,x)=(x cos x)/4x = cos x for x 0 , so 4 1 f (x,y) along this line. Thus the limit does not exist. 4 10. f (x,y)=6x y/ 2x + y
3

) . On the x axis, f (x,0)=0 for x

0 , so f (x,y)
4

0 as ( x,y )

( 0,0 ) along

the x axis. Approaching ( 0,0 ) along the line y=x gives f (x,x)=6x / 3x =2 for x 0 , so along this line f (x,y) 2 as (x,y) (0,0) . Thus the limit does not exist. 11. f (x,y)= xy x +y
2 2 2 2

( 4)

. We can see that the limit along any line through ( 0,0 ) is 0 , as well as along

other paths through ( 0,0 ) such as x= y and y=x . So we suspect that the limit exists and equals 0 ; 2 2 xy x since y x +y , we use the Squeeze Theorem to prove our assertion. 0 2 2 x +y and x 0 as ( x,y ) ( 0,0 ) . So lim f (x,y)=0 . ( x,y ) ( 0,0 ) 12. f (x,y)= x y / x + y = x + y (x,y) (0,0) is 0 . 13. Let f (x,y)= 2x y x +y f x,x =
4 2 2

)(

) (

) ( x2 y2)/(x2+y2) =x2 y2 for ( x,y)

0 as (x,y)

( 0,0 ) . Thus the limit as

. Then f (x,0)=0 for x 0 , so f (x,y) 1 as (x,y)

( 0,0 ) along the x axis. But

2

( 2)

2x

4 4

=1 for x 0 , so f (x,y)

( 0,0 ) along the parabola y=x . Thus the limit

2x doesnt exist.

14. We can use the Squeeze Theorem to show that 0 15. x sin y x +2 y
2 2 2 2

lim =0 : ( x,y ) ( 0,0 ) x2+2 y2 0 as ( x,y )

x sin y

sin y since

x
2

2 2

1 , and sin y

( 0,0 ) , so

x +2 y

lim =0 . ( x,y ) ( 0,0 ) x2+2 y2

x sin y

Stewart Calculus ET 5e 0534393217;14. Partial Derivatives; 14.2 Limits and Continuity

lim ( x,y ) ( 0,0 )

x +y
2 2

x + y +1 1 =

lim ( x,y ) ( 0,0 ) lim ( x,y ) ( 0,0 ) lim ( x,y ) ( 0,0 )

x +y
2 2

2

x + y +1 +1 x + y +1 +1
2 2 2

x + y +1 1

( x2+y2) (
2

x + y +1 +1 x +y
2

=
4

x + y +1 +1 =2

0 as ( x,y ) ( 0,0 ) along the 4 8 8 1 4 x axis. Approaching ( 0,0 ) along the curve x= y gives f ( y ,y)= y /2 y = for y 0 , so along this 2 1 path f (x,y) as (x,y) (0,0) . Thus the limit does not exist. 2 16. f (x,y)=xy / x + y 17. e
xy

) . On the x axis, f ( x,0 ) =0 for x

0 , so f (x,y)

and sin ( z/2) are each compositions of continuous functions, and hence continuous, so their
xy

product f (x,y,z)=e sin ( z/2) is a continuous function. Then ( 3) ( 0 ) lim f (x,y,z)= f ( 3,0,1 ) =e sin ( 1/2)=1 . ( x,y,z ) ( 3,0,1 ) 18. f (x,y,z)= x +2 y +3z x + y +z
2 2 2 2 2 2

. Then f (x,0,0)= 0+2 y +0

2 2

x +0+0 x +0+0
2

=1 for x 0 , so f (x,y,z)

1 as (x,y,z)

( 0,0,0 )

along the x axis. But f (0,y,0)=

=2 for y 0 , so f (x,y,z)

2 as (x,y,z)

( 0,0,0 ) along the y

0+ y +0 axis. Thus, the limit doesnt exist. 19. f (x,y,z)= f (x,y,z) f (x,y,z) xy+ yz +xz x + y +z
2 2 4 2 2

. Then f (x,0,0)=0/x =0 for x 0 , so as (x,y,z)

2

( 0,0,0 ) along the x axis,

0 . But f (x,x,0)=x / 2x =

( 2)

1 for x 0 , so as (x,y,z) 2

( 0,0,0 ) along the line y=x , z=0 ,

1 . Thus the limit doesnt exist. 2 xy+ yz+zx x + y +z

2 2 2

20. f (x,y,z)=

. Then f (x,0,0)=0 for x 0 , so as ( x,y,z )

( 0,0,0 ) along the x axis,

4

Stewart Calculus ET 5e 0534393217;14. Partial Derivatives; 14.2 Limits and Continuity

f (x,y,z) f (x,y,z) 21.

0 . But f (x,x,0)=x / 2x =

( 2)

1 for x 0 , so as ( x,y,z ) 2

( 0,0,0 ) along the line y=x , z=0 ,

1 . Thus the limit doesnt exist. 2

From the ridges on the graph, we see that as (x,y) ( 0,0 ) along the lines under the two ridges, f (x,y) approaches different values. So the limit does not exist. 22.

From the graph, it appears that as we approach the origin along the lines x=0 or y=0 , the function is everywhere 0 , whereas if we approach the origin along a certain curve it has a constant value of 1 about . Since the function approaches different values depending on the path of approach, the limit 2 does not exist. 23. h(x,y)=g ( f (x,y) ) = ( 2x+3 y 6 ) + 2x+3 y 6 . Since f is a polynomial, it is continuous on R and g is continuous on its domain {t | t 0} . Thus h is continuous on its domain 2 D= { (x,y)|2x+3 y 6 0} = (x,y)| y x+2 , which consists of all points on or above the line 3 2 y= x+2 . 3
2 2

{
2

x y 1 x y +1 . Since f is a polynomial, it is continuous on R 24. h(x,y)=g( f (x,y))= and g is continuous on its domain {t | t 0} . Thus h is continuous on its domain

) /(

Stewart Calculus ET 5e 0534393217;14. Partial Derivatives; 14.2 Limits and Continuity

D= (x,y)| x y 0 = (x,y)| y x 25.

} {

which consists of all points below or on the parabola y=x .

1/ ( x y ) From the graph, it appears that f is discontinuous along the line y=x . If we consider f (x,y)=e as a composition of functions, g(x,y)=1/(x y) is a rational function and therefore continuous except

where x y=0

y=x . Since the function h(t )=e is continuous everywhere, the composition 1/ ( x y ) h ( g(x,y) ) =e = f (x,y) is continuous except along the line y=x , as we suspected.

26.

We can see a circular break in the graph, corresponding approximately to the unit circle, where f is discontinuous. [ Note: For a more accurate graph, try converting to cylindrical coordinates first.] Since 2 2 2 2 1 f (x,y)= is a rational function, it is continuous except where 1 x y =0 x + y =1 , 2 2 1 x y confirming our observation that f is discontinuous on the circle x + y =1 . 27. The functions sin (xy) and e y are continuous everywhere, so F (x,y)=
x x 2 2 2

sin (xy) e y
x 2

except where e y =0

{ (x,y)| y e

x/2

is continuous

y =e

y=

e = e

1 x 2

. Thus F is continuous on its domain

6

}.

Stewart Calculus ET 5e 0534393217;14. Partial Derivatives; 14.2 Limits and Continuity

28. F (x,y)=

x y
2 2

is a rational function and thus is continuous on its domain R (since the

1+x + y denominator is never zero). 29. F (x,y)=arctan ( x+ y ) =g( f (x,y)) where f (x,y)=x+ y , continuous on its domain { (x,y)| y 0} , and g(t )=arctant is continuous everywhere. Thus F is continuous on its domain { (x,y)| y 0} . 30. e
x y
2

is continuous on R and
2

x+ y is continuous on its domain , so F (x,y)=e

x y
2

{ (x,y)| x+y2 0} = { (x,y)| x { ( x,y) | x y2} .

y}

+ x+ y is continuous on the set

31. G (x,y)=ln x + y 4 =g( f (x,y)) where f (x,y)=x + y 4 , continuous on R , and g(t )=ln t , continuous on its domain {t | t >0} . Thus G is continuous on its domain

{ (x,y)| x2+y2 4>0} = { (x,y)| x2+y2>4}

2

, the exterior of the circle x + y =4 .

2 2 1

32. G (x,y)=g ( f (x,y) ) where f (x,y)=x + y , continuous on R , and g(t )=sin t , continuous on its domain {t | 1 t 1} . Thus G is continuous on its domain D= (x,y)| 1 x + y 1 = (x,y)| x + y 1

} {

, inside and on the circle x + y =1 .

2 2 2

33. y is continuous on its domain { y | y 0} and x y +z is continuous everywhere, so 2 2 2 2 2 2 y is continuous for y 0 and x y +z 0 y x +z , that is, f (x,y,z)= 2 2 2 x y +z

{ (x,y,z)| y

0, y

x +z

}.

34. f (x,y,z)= x+ y+z =h(g(x,y,z)) where g(x,y,z)=x+ y+z , continuous everywhere, and h(t )= t is continuous on its domain {t | t 0} . Thus f is continuous on its domain { (x,y,z)| x+ y+z 0} , so f is continuous on and above the plane z= x y .

35. f (x,y)=

x y
2

2 3 2

if (x,y) (0,0) if (x,y)=(0,0)

2x + y 1

The first piece of f is a rational function defined

2

everywhere except at the origin, so f is continuous on R except possibly at the origin. Since x 2x + y , we have x y /(2x + y )
2 2 2 2 3 2 2

. We know that y

0 as ( x,y )

( 0,0 ) . So, by the

7

Stewart Calculus ET 5e 0534393217;14. Partial Derivatives; 14.2 Limits and Continuity

lim f (x,y)= lim =0 . But f (0,0)=1 , so f is discontinuous at ( x,y ) ( 0,0 ) ( x,y ) ( 0,0 ) 2x2+ y2 (0,0) . Therefore, f is continuous on the set { (x,y)|(x,y) (0,0)} . Squeeze Theorem,

x y

2 3

36. f (x,y)=

{
3

xy x +xy+ y 0
2 2

if(x,y) (0,0) if(x,y)=(0,0)

The first piece of f is a rational function defined

2 2

everywhere except at the origin, so f is continuous on R except possibly at the origin. f (x,0)=0/x =0 1 2 2 for x 0 , so f (x,y) 0 as (x,y) (0,0) along the x axis. But f (x,x)=x / 3x = for x 0 , so 3 1 f (x,y) as (x,y) (0,0) along the line y=x . Thus lim f (x,y) doesnt exist, so f is not 3 ( x,y ) ( 0,0 ) continuous at (0,0) and the largest set on which f is continuous is { (x,y)|(x,y) (0,0)} .

( )

37.

lim =lim ( x,y ) ( 0,0 ) x2+ y2 r 0+

x +y

(r cos ) +(r sin ) r

2

3 r 0
+

=lim r cos +r sin

) =0

38. lim x + y ln x + y ( x,y ) ( 0,0 )

) (

) =lim r ln r =lim
2 2 r 0
+

ln r
+

r

1/r

=lim
r 0
+

( 1/r 2) (2r )
2/r
3

[ using lHospitals Rule] =lim

r 0
+

( r 2) =0

39. ( sin xyz =lim lim 2 2 2 + ( x,y,z ) ( 0,0,0 ) x + y +z 0 =lim

0
+

cos )( sin

2 2

sin )( cos )

(

sin

cos

sin cos

) =0

lim 2 2 ( x,y ) ( 0,0 ) x +y lHospitals Rule, we get 40.

sin x + y

) =lim
r 0
+

sin r r
2

( 2)

, which is an indeterminate form of type 0/0 . Using

Stewart Calculus ET 5e 0534393217;14. Partial Derivatives; 14.2 Limits and Continuity

lim
r 0
+

sin r r
2

( 2) =lim
r 0
+

2r cos r 2r

( 2) =lim cos (r 2) =1 .
r 0
+

Or: Use the fact that lim

0

sin

=1 .

41. Since x a = x + a 2 x a cos x + a 2 x a = ( x a ) , we have x a x a . Let >0 be given and set = . Then whenever 0< x a < , x a x a < = . Hence x = a and f ( x ) = x is continuous on R .
n

42. Let >0 be given. We need to find >0 such that f ( x ) f ( a ) < whenever x a < or c x c a < whenever x a < . But c x c a = c ( x a ) and c ( x a ) c x a by Exercise 13.3.57 [ ET 12.3.57] (the Cauchy Schwartz Inequality). Let >0 be given and set = / c . Then whenever 0< ax a < , f ( x ) f ( a ) = c x c a c x a < c = c ( / c ) = . So f is continuous on R .
n