MTH165

Lecture-21

Functions of Two variables

&
Limit and Continuity
Unit 4: Multivariate Functions

(Book: Advanced Engineering Mathematics By Jain and Iyengar, Chapter-2)

Learning Outcomes:

1. To know about functions of two variables.

2. To find limit of functions of two variables .

3. To check continuity of functions of two variables.

 Functions of Two Variables

Consider the function of two variables 𝑧 = 𝑓(𝑥, 𝑦) (1)

The set of points (𝑥, 𝑦) in the 𝑥𝑦 − plane for which 𝑓(𝑥, 𝑦) id defined is called
the domain of function and is demoted by 𝐷.

The collection of corresponding values of 𝑧 is called range of the function.

For example: 𝑧 = 1 − 𝑥2 − 𝑦2

Its domain is the region 𝑥 2 + 𝑦 2 ≤ 1.

Its range is the set of all positive real numbers.

 Limits

Let 𝑧 = 𝑓(𝑥, 𝑦) be a function of two variables defined in domain 𝐷.

Let 𝑃 𝑥0 , 𝑦0 be any point in domain 𝐷.

Then, the real, finite number 𝐿 is called the limit of the function 𝑓(𝑥, 𝑦) as
𝑥, 𝑦 ⟶ 𝑥0 , 𝑦0 .

Symbolically, we write it as:

lim 𝑓 𝑥, 𝑦 = 𝐿.
𝑥,𝑦 ⟶ 𝑥0 ,𝑦0
Note:

1. If lim 𝑓 𝑥, 𝑦 = 𝐿 exists, it is unique.

𝑥,𝑦 ⟶ 𝑥0 ,𝑦0

2. Since the limit is unique, so it is same along all the paths, that it the limit is
independent of path.

3. If the limit depends on the path, then limit does not exist.
Note:

If lim 𝑓 𝑥, 𝑦 = 𝐿1 and lim 𝑔 𝑥, 𝑦 = 𝐿2 , then:

𝑥,𝑦 ⟶ 𝑥0 ,𝑦0 𝑥,𝑦 ⟶ 𝑥0 ,𝑦0

1. lim 𝑘 𝑓 𝑥, 𝑦 = 𝑘𝐿1 , where 𝑘 is any real number.

𝑥,𝑦 ⟶ 𝑥0 ,𝑦0

2. lim 𝑓 𝑥, 𝑦 ± 𝑔 𝑥, 𝑦 = 𝐿1 ± 𝐿2 .
𝑥,𝑦 ⟶ 𝑥0 ,𝑦0

3. lim 𝑓 𝑥, 𝑦 𝑔 𝑥, 𝑦 = 𝐿1 𝐿2 .
𝑥,𝑦 ⟶ 𝑥0 ,𝑦0

𝑓 𝑥,𝑦 𝐿1
4. lim = , 𝐿2 ≠ 0.
𝑥,𝑦 ⟶ 𝑥0 ,𝑦0 𝑔 𝑥,𝑦 𝐿2
Problem. What is the value of lim 3𝑥 + 4𝑦 .
𝑥,𝑦 ⟶ 2,1

Solution. lim 3𝑥 + 4𝑦 .
𝑥,𝑦 ⟶ 2,1

= 3 2 + 4(1)

=6+4

= 10 Answer.
 Polling Quiz

The value of lim 𝑥 2 + 2𝑦 𝑖𝑠 :

𝑥,𝑦 ⟶ 1,1

(A) 0
(B) 4
(C) 3
(D) 1.
Determine the following limits, if they exist:

𝑥+𝑦
Problem 1. lim
𝑥,𝑦 ⟶ 0,0 𝑥 2 +𝑦 2 +1

𝑥+𝑦
Solution. lim
𝑥,𝑦 ⟶ 0,0 𝑥 2 +𝑦 2 +1

0+0
=
0+0+1

0
=
1

= 0 Answer.
 (𝑦−1)𝑡𝑎𝑛2 𝑥
Problem 2. lim
𝑥,𝑦 ⟶ 0,1 𝑥 2 (𝑦 2 −1)

(𝑦−1)𝑡𝑎𝑛2 𝑥
Solution. lim
𝑥,𝑦 ⟶ 0,1 𝑥 2 (𝑦 2 −1)

𝑡𝑎𝑛2 𝑥 (𝑦−1)
= lim lim
𝑥→0 𝑥2 𝑦→1 (𝑦 2 −1)

𝑡𝑎𝑛𝑥 2 (𝑦−1)
= lim lim
𝑥→0 𝑥 𝑦→1 (𝑦−1)(𝑦+1)

1 1
= (1)2 = Answer.
1+1 2
 1
Problem 3. lim 𝑦 + 𝑥 cos
𝑥,𝑦 ⟶ 0,0 𝑦

1
Solution. lim 𝑦 + 𝑥 cos
𝑥,𝑦 ⟶ 0,0 𝑦

= 0 + 0(𝑓𝑖𝑛𝑖𝑡𝑒)
=0 Answer.
Show that the following limits do not exist:
𝑥𝑦
Problem 1. lim
𝑥,𝑦 ⟶ 0,0 𝑥 2 +𝑦 2

Solution. The limit does not exist if it is not finite or it depends on a particular path.
Consider the path: 𝑦 = 𝑚𝑥 such that 𝑦 → 0 as 𝑥 → 0.
𝑥𝑦 𝑥(𝑚𝑥)
So, lim = lim
𝑥,𝑦 ⟶ 0,0 𝑥 2 +𝑦 2 𝑥⟶0 𝑥 2 +(𝑚𝑥)2

𝑥2𝑚
= lim
𝑥⟶0 𝑥 2 (1+𝑚2 )
𝑚
=
1+𝑚2
Which depends on m. For different values of m, we obtain different limits.
Hence the limit does not exist.
Alternative:

𝑥𝑦
Problem 1. lim
𝑥,𝑦 ⟶ 0,0 𝑥 2 +𝑦 2

Solution. The limit does not exist if it is not finite or it depends on a particular path.
Let 𝑥 = 𝑟 cos 𝜃, 𝑦 = 𝑟 sin 𝜃 .

𝑥𝑦 (𝑟 cos 𝜃 )(𝑟 sin 𝜃)

So, lim = lim
𝑥,𝑦 ⟶ 0,0 𝑥 2 +𝑦 2 𝑥⟶0 (𝑟 cos 𝜃 )2 +(𝑟 sin 𝜃)2

𝑟 2 sin 𝜃 cos 𝜃
= lim
𝑥⟶0 𝑟2

= sin 𝜃 cos 𝜃
Which depends on 𝜃. For different values of 𝜃, we obtain different limits.
Hence the limit does not exist.
 𝑥+ 𝑦
Problem 2. lim
𝑥,𝑦 ⟶ 0,0 𝑥 2 +𝑦

Solution. The limit does not exist if it is not finite or it depends on a particular path.
Consider the path: 𝑦 = 𝑚𝑥 2 such that 𝑦 → 0 as 𝑥 → 0.

𝑥+𝑦 𝑥+ 𝑚𝑥 2
So, lim = lim 2
𝑥,𝑦 ⟶ 0,0 𝑥 2 +𝑦 𝑥⟶0 𝑥 +𝑚𝑥 2

𝑥(1+ 𝑚)
= lim
𝑥⟶0 𝑥 2 (1+𝑚)

(1+ 𝑚)
= lim =∞
𝑥⟶0 𝑥 (1+𝑚)

Since the limit is not finite, hence the limit does not exist.
 −1 𝑦
Problem 3. lim 𝑡𝑎𝑛
𝑥,𝑦 ⟶ 0,1 𝑥

−1 𝑦 −1 1
Solution. So, lim 𝑡𝑎𝑛 = lim 𝑡𝑎𝑛
𝑥,𝑦 ⟶ 0,1 𝑥 𝑥,𝑦 ⟶ 0,1 0

= 𝑡𝑎𝑛−1 ±∞
𝜋
=±
2

Since the limit is not unique, hence the limit does not exist.
 𝑥
Problem 4. lim
𝑥,𝑦 ⟶ 0,0 𝑥 2 +𝑦 2

Solution. The limit does not exist if it is not finite or it depends on a particular path.
Consider the path: 𝑦 = 𝑚𝑥 such that 𝑦 → 0 as 𝑥 → 0.

𝑥 𝑥
So, lim = lim
𝑥,𝑦 ⟶ 0,0 𝑥 2 +𝑦 2 𝑥⟶0 𝑥 2 +(𝑚𝑥)2

𝑥
= lim
𝑥⟶0 𝑥 1+𝑚2

1
=
1+𝑚2

Which depends on m. For different values of m, we obtain different limits.

Hence the limit does not exist.
 Polling Quiz
𝑥 3 −𝑦 3
The value of lim :
𝑥,𝑦 ⟶ 1,−1 𝑥−𝑦

(A) 0
(B) 4
(C) 3
(D) 1.
 Continuity

A function 𝑧 = 𝑓(𝑥, 𝑦) is said to be continuous at a point 𝑃 𝑥0 , 𝑦0 , if:

1. 𝑓(𝑥, 𝑦) is defined at the point 𝑥0 , 𝑦0 .

2. lim 𝑓 𝑥, 𝑦 exists.
𝑥,𝑦 ⟶ 𝑥0 ,𝑦0

3. lim 𝑓 𝑥, 𝑦 = 𝑓 𝑥0 , 𝑦0 .
𝑥,𝑦 ⟶ 𝑥0 ,𝑦0

If any one of the above conditions is not satisfied, then the function is
said to be discontinuous at the point 𝑥0 , 𝑦0 .
Discuss the continuity of the following functions at the given points:

(𝑥−𝑦)2
2 2 , (𝑥, 𝑦) ≠ 0
Problem 1. 𝑓 𝑥, 𝑦 = ቐ 𝑥 +𝑦 at point 0,0 .
0 , 𝑥, 𝑦 = 0

Solution. Here 𝑓 0,0 = 0 that is the function exists at 0,0 .

(𝑥−𝑦)2
Now lim 𝑓 𝑥, 𝑦 = lim
𝑥,𝑦 ⟶ 0,0 𝑥,𝑦 ⟶ 0,0 𝑥 2 +𝑦 2

Consider the path: 𝑦 = 𝑚𝑥 such that 𝑦 → 0 as 𝑥 → 0.

(𝑥−𝑚𝑥)2
lim 𝑓 𝑥, 𝑦 = lim
𝑥,𝑦 ⟶ 0,0 𝑥,𝑦 ⟶ 0,0 𝑥 2 +(𝑚𝑥)2
 𝑥 2 (1−𝑚)2
lim 𝑓 𝑥, 𝑦 = lim
𝑥,𝑦 ⟶ 0,0 𝑥,𝑦 ⟶ 0,0 𝑥 2 (1+𝑚2 )

(1−𝑚)2
=
(1+𝑚2 )

which is path dependent. So, the limit does not exist.

As one of the conditions of continuity is not satisfied, so the given function is

discontinuous at (0,0).
 2𝑥 4 +3𝑦 4
2 +𝑦 2 , (𝑥, 𝑦) ≠0
Problem 2. 𝑓 𝑥, 𝑦 = ቐ 𝑥 at point 0,0 .
0 , 𝑥, 𝑦 = 0

Solution. Here 𝑓 0,0 = 0 that is the function exists at 0,0 .

2𝑥 4 +3𝑦 4
Now lim 𝑓 𝑥, 𝑦 = lim
𝑥,𝑦 ⟶ 0,0 𝑥,𝑦 ⟶ 0,0 𝑥 2 +𝑦 2

Consider the path: 𝑦 = 𝑚𝑥 such that 𝑦 → 0 as 𝑥 → 0.

2𝑥 4 +3(𝑚𝑥)4
lim 𝑓 𝑥, 𝑦 = lim
𝑥,𝑦 ⟶ 0,0 𝑥,𝑦 ⟶ 0,0 𝑥 2 +(𝑚𝑥)2
 𝑥 4 (2+3𝑚4 )
lim 𝑓 𝑥, 𝑦 = lim
𝑥,𝑦 ⟶ 0,0 𝑥,𝑦 ⟶ 0,0 𝑥 2 (1+𝑚2 )

𝑥 2 (2+3𝑚4 )
= lim
𝑥,𝑦 ⟶ 0,0 (1+𝑚2 )

= 0 which exists and is finite

Also lim 𝑓 𝑥, 𝑦 = 𝑓 0,0 = 0

𝑥,𝑦 ⟶ 0,0

Hence, all the conditions of continuity are satisfied.

So, the given function is continuous at point (0,0).