Limits and continuity

DOMAIN OF A MULTIVARIABLE FUNCTION

1. Find the domain of the multivariable function.

f (x, y) = sin(2x + y)

Solution:

An expression under the square root should be nonnegative, so

sin(2x + y) ≥ 0

The function sin t ≥ 0 if 2πk ≤ t ≤ π + 2πk for any integer k. So

2πk ≤ 2x + y ≤ π + 2πk for any integer k

2. Find the domain of the multivariable function.

f (x, y) = (x 2 − y 2)tan(2x)cot(y + π)

Solution:

The argument of a tangent function can't be equal to

π
+ πk for any integer k
2

1
so
π
2x ≠ + πk
2

π πk
x≠ + for any integer k
4 2

The argument of a cotangent function can't be equal to

πm for any integer m

so

y + π ≠ πm

y ≠ π(m − 1) for any integer m

Let n = m − 1 where n is also any integer, then

y ≠ πn for any integer n

So the domain of the function is

π πk
x≠ + for any integer k
4 2

y ≠ πn for any integer n

3. Find the domain of the multivariable function.

f (x, y) = sin(3x + y)logx−y(x 2)

2
Solution:

The domain of the logarithmic function loga b is a > 0, a ≠ 1, and b > 0. So

x−y >0

x−y ≠1

x2 > 0

Since x 2 is always greater than 0 except x = 0, we can say x 2 > 0 if x ≠ 0. The

domain of the function is

x−y >0

x−y ≠1

x≠0

4. Find the set of points that lie within the domain of the multivariable
function.

f (x, y) = 3 x 2 + 2x + y 2 − 4y − 4

Solution:

An expression under the square root should be nonnegative, so

3
 x 2 + 2x + y 2 − 4y − 4 ≥ 0

Complete the square with respect to each variable.

(x 2 + 2x + 1 − 1) + (y 2 − 4y + 4 − 4) − 4 ≥ 0

(x + 1)2 − 1 + (y − 2)2 − 4 − 4 ≥ 0

(x + 1)2 + (y − 2)2 − 9 ≥ 0

(x + 1)2 + (y − 2)2 ≥ 32

The domain is all points except the inner points of the circle with center at
(−1,2) and radius 3.

5. Find the set of points that lie within the domain of the multivariable
function.
3
f (x, y) = (2xy)− 4

Solution:

The function can be rewritten as

1 1
f (x, y) = 3
=
(2xy) 4 4
(2xy)3

An expression under the square root should be positive.

(2xy)3 > 0

4
 2xy > 0

xy > 0

So x and y must be both positive, or both be negative. Which means the

domain will be all points in quadrants I and III in the xy-plane.

5
LIMIT OF A MULTIVARIABLE FUNCTION

1. If the limit exists, find its value.

lim ln(2x + 3ey + e 2)

(x,y)→(0,0)

Solution:

Since the function is continuous at (0,0), just substitute (0,0) for (x, y).

lim ln(2(0) + 3e(0) + e 2)

(x,y)→(0,0)

lim ln(e 2)
(x,y)→(0,0)

2. If the limit exists, find its value.

sin(3x + y)
lim
(x,y)→(π, π2 ) cos(x − 2y)

Solution:

6
Since the function is continuous at (π, π /2), just substitute the respective
values for (x, y).
π
sin(3π + 2 )
lim π
(x,y)→(π, π2 ) cos(π − 2 2 )

sin ( 2 )
7π

lim
(x,y)→(π, π2 ) cos(0)

−1
1

−1

3. If the limit exists, find its value.

lim (x 3 + 4y)(sin(x 2 + 2y) + 3)

(x,y)→(−∞,−∞)

Solution:

Since −1 ≤ sin t ≤ 1, then

−1 ≤ sin(x 2 + 2y) ≤ 1

−1 + 3 ≤ sin(x 2 + 2y) + 3 ≤ 1 + 3

2 ≤ sin(x 2 + 2y) + 3 ≤ 4

7
If x → − ∞ and y → − ∞, then x 3 + 4y → − ∞. So

lim (x 3 + 4y)(sin(x 2 + 2y) + 3) ≤ lim 4(x 3 + 4y) = − ∞

(x,y)→(−∞,−∞) (x,y)→(−∞,−∞)

lim (x 3 + 4y)(sin(x 2 + 2y) + 3) = − ∞

(x,y)→(−∞,−∞)

4. If the limit exists, find its value.

4x 4 − y 4
lim
(x,y)→0,0) 2x 2 + y 2

Solution:

Rewrite the function as

(2x 2 − y 2)(2x 2 + y 2)
2x 2 + y 2

2x 2 − y 2

This function is continuous at all real values of x and y.

4x 4 − y 4 2 2
lim = lim (2x − y )=0
(x,y)→(0,0) 2x 2 + y 2 (x,y)→(0,0)

5. If the limit exists, find its value.

8
 lim 2y − x 2
(x,y)→(∞,∞)

Solution:

In order for this limit to exist, the function must be approaching the same
value regardless of the path that we take as we move in towards (∞, ∞).

Consider the path y = log2(x 2).

2
lim (2log2(x ) − x 2)
(x,log2(x 2))→(∞,∞)

lim (x 2 − x 2) = 0
(x,log2(x 2))→(∞,∞)

Then consider the path y = x.

lim (2x − x 2) = ∞
(x,x)→(∞,∞)

Since the limits from two different paths are not equal, the limit does not
exist.

6. If the limit exists, find its value.

x 4 + 2x 2y 2 − xy
lim
(x,y)→(0,0) 2x 3 + y 2

9
Solution:

In order for this limit to exist, the function must be approaching the same
value regardless of the path that we take as we approach (0,0) .

Consider the path y = x.

x 4 + 2x 2(x)2 − x(x)
lim
(x,x)→(0,0) 2x 3 + x 2

3x 4 − x 2
lim
(x,x)→(0,0) 2x 3 + x 2

3x 2 − 1
lim
(x,x)→(0,0) 2x + 1

3(0)2 − 1
=−1
2(0) + 1

Consider the path y = − x.

x 4 + 2x 2(−x)2 − x(−x)
lim
(x,x)→(0,0) 2x 3 + (−x)2

3x 4 + x 2
lim
(x,x)→(0,0) 2x 3 + x 2

3x 2 + 1
lim
(x,x)→(0,0) 2x + 1

3(0)2 + 1
=1
2(0) + 1

10
Since the limits from two different paths are not equal, the limit does not
exist.

11
PRECISE DEFINITION OF THE LIMIT FOR MULTIVARIABLE FUNCTIONS

1. Which value of δ can be used to apply the precise definition of the limit
to f (x, y) with ϵ = 0.002 at the point (0,0)?

f (x, y) = (x 2 + y 2)(3 − xy)

Solution:

We need to find a δ such that | f (x, y) − f (0,0) | < ϵ whenever

0< (x − 0)2 + (y − 0)2 < δ.

f (0,0) = (02 + 02)(3 − (0)(0)) = 0

| 3 − xy | ≤ | 3 | + | xy | = 3 + | x | | y |

|x| = x2 ≤ x2 + y2 = δ

Similarly,

|y| = y2 ≤ x2 + y2 = δ

So

| 3 − xy | ≤ 3 + | x | | y | ≤ 3 + δ 2

Finally,

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 | f (x, y) − f (0,0) | = | (x 2 + y 2)(3 − xy) | ≤ δ 2(3 + δ 2)

Since δ is relatively small, 3 + δ 2 ≤ 4. So

| f (x, y) − f (0,0) | ≤ 4δ 2

Let ϵ = 4δ 2. Then

ϵ
δ=
2

2. Which value of δ can be used to apply the precise definition of the

limit to f (x, y) with ϵ = 0.001 at the point (0,0)? Hint: Use the polar form of the
function.

5x 2y
f (x, y) = 2
x + y2

Solution:

We need to find a δ such that | f (x, y) − lim f (x, y) | < ϵ whenever

(x,y)→(0,0)

0< (x − 0)2 + (y − 0)2 < δ.

Since f (x, y) is not continuous at (0,0), we can switch to polar coordinates to

investigate it. Substituting x 2 + y 2 = r 2, x = r cos θ, and y = r sin θ, we rewrite
the function in polar coordinates.

13
 5(r cos θ)2(r sin θ)
f (r, θ) =
r2

5r 3 cos2 θ sin θ
f (r, θ) =
r2

f (r, θ) = 5r cos2 θ sin θ

Since 0 ≤ (x − 0)2 + (y − 0)2 ≤ δ, then 0 ≤ r ≤ δ. And if x = 0 and y = 0, then

r = 0.

lim f (x, y) = lim f (r, θ) = lim 5r cos2 θ sin θ = 0

(x,y)→(0,0) r→0 r→0

| f (r, θ) − 0 | = | 5r cos2 θ sin θ | = 5r | cos2 θ sin θ |

Since | sin θ | ≤ 1 and | cos θ | ≤ 1,

| f (r, θ) − 0 | ≤ 5r ≤ 5δ

Let ϵ = 5δ. Then

1
δ= ϵ
5

3. We know that f (x, y) is a continuous function, and that for any real
ϵ > 0, there exists a δ > 0 such that (x − 4)2 + (y + 3)2 < δ implies

| f (x, y) − 7 | < ϵ. If the limit exists, find its value.

lim ( f (x, y))2

(x,y)→(4,−3)

14
Solution:

From the given statement, by the precise definition of the limit there exists

lim f (x, y)
(x,y)→(4,−3)

lim f (x, y) = f (4, − 3) = 7

(x,y)→(4,−3)

By properties of limits,

( (x,y)→(4,−3) )
2
lim ( f (x, y))2 = lim f (x, y) = (7)2 = 49
(x,y)→(4,−3)

4. We know that f (x, y) and g(x, y) are continuous functions, and that for
any real ϵ > 0, there exists a δ > 0 such that (x − 2)2 + y 2 < δ implies

| f (x, y) + 3 | + | g(x, y) − 5 | < ϵ. If the limit exists, find its value

lim (3f (x, y) − 2g(x, y))

(x,y)→(2,0)

Solution:

From the given statement,

| f (x, y) + 3 | ≤ | f (x, y) + 3 | + | g(x, y) − 5 | < ϵ

15
So by the precise definition of the limit there exists

lim f (x, y)
(x,y)→(2,0)

lim f (x, y) = f (2,0) = − 3

(x,y)→(2,0)

Similarly, for the function g(x, y),

| g(x, y) − 5 | ≤ | f (x, y) + 3 | + | g(x, y) − 5 | < ϵ

lim g(x, y) = g(2,0) = 5

(x,y)→(2,0)

By properties of limits,

lim (3f (x, y) − 2g(x, y))

(x,y)→(2,0)

3 lim f (x, y) − 2 lim g(x, y)

(x,y)→(2,0) (x,y)→(2,0)

3(−3) − 2(5) = − 19

5. We know that for any real ϵ > 0, there exists a δ > 0 such that

for x > 0, x 2 + y 2 < δ implies | f (x, y) − 4 | < ϵ

for x ≤ 0, x 2 + y 2 < δ implies | f (x, y) + 4 | < ϵ

If the limit exists, find its value.

16
 lim 3 f(x,y)
(x,y)→(0,0)

Solution:

From the given statement, by the precise definition of the limit, if (x, y)
approaches (0,0) along the path y = x for x > 0, then

lim f (x, x) = 4
(x,x)→(0,0)

But if (x, y) approaches (0,0) along the path y = x for x < 0, then

lim f (x, x) = − 4
(x,x)→(0,0)

So the limit

lim f (x, y)
(x,y)→(0,0)

does not exist, and by the properties of limits,

lim 3 f(x,y)
(x,y)→(0,0)

also does not exist.

6. We know that for any real ϵ > 0, there exists a δ > 0 such that

(x + 1)2 + (y − 12)2 < δ implies f (x, y) > ϵ. If the limit exists, find its value.

17
 lim ( f (x, y) − 13)
(x,y)→(−1,12)

Solution:

From the given statement, by the precise definition of the limit, there
exists

lim f (x, y)
(x,y)→(−1,12)

lim f (x, y) = ∞
(x,y)→(−1,12)

By the properties of limits,

lim ( f (x, y) − 12)

(x,y)→(−1,12)

lim f (x, y) − lim 12

(x,y)→(−1,12) (x,y)→(−1,12)

∞ − 12

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DISCONTINUITIES OF MULTIVARIABLE FUNCTIONS

1. Find any discontinuities of the function.

x 2−2y 2+ x 2 + 5y 2 − x + 1
f (x, y) = 3

Solution:

The power function 3t is continuous for every real number t. An expression

under the square root should be nonnegative, so

x 2 + 5y 2 − x + 1 ≥ 0

x 2 − 2(0.5)x + 0.25 − 0.25 + 5y 2 + 1 ≥ 0

(x − 0.5)2 − 0.25 + 5y 2 + 1 ≥ 0

(x − 0.5)2 + 5y 2 + 0.75 ≥ 0

Since (x − 0.5)2 ≥ 0 and 5y 2 ≥ 0 and 0.75 > 0, the sum of these terms is always
positive, so

(x − 0.5)2 + 5y 2 + 0.75 > 0

So the given function is continuous for all real numbers x and y.

2. Find any discontinuities of the function.

19
 f (x, y) = sin x cos y + sin y cos x

Solution:

An expression under the square root should be nonnegative, so

sin x cos y + sin y cos x ≥ 0

sin(x + y) ≥ 0

The function is discontinuous if sin(x + y) < 0. Solve the trigonometric

inequality

2πk − π < x + y < 2πk

−x − π + 2πk < y < − x + 2πk

20
The function is discontinuous when −x − π + 2πk < y < − x + 2πk for any
integer k.

3. Find any discontinuities of the function.

4x 2 − y 2
y ≠ 2x
f (x, y) = 2x − y
0 y = 2x

Solution:

Simplify the function for y ≠ 2x.

4x 2 − y 2 (2x − y)(2x + y)
= = 2x + y
2x − y 2x − y

So for all of the points y ≠ 2x the function f (x, y) is continuous.

For the points y = 2x the function is continuous only at the points (x0, y0)
where

lim(x,y)→(x0,y0) 2x + y = 0

2x0 + y0 = 0

Since y0 = 2x0, we have

2x0 + 2x0 = 0

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 4x0 = 0

x0 = 0

Which gives y0 = 0. Therefore, for the points y = 2x, the function is

continuous only at (0,0). So the function is continuous for all real numbers x
and y, excluding the points y = 2x, but including the point (0,0).

4. Find and classify any discontinuities of the function.

7x − y
f (x, y) = 2
4x + y 2 − 4x + 1

Solution:

The denominator should be nonzero.

4x 2 + y 2 − 4x + 1 ≠ 0

(2x − 1)2 + y 2 ≠ 0

The denominator equals 0 only at the point where 2x − 1 = 0 and y = 0, or

(1/2,0). To classify the discontinuity, investigate the limit.

7x − y
lim
(x,y)→(1/2,0) 4x 2 + y 2 − 4x + 1

22
Since the numerator at (1/2,0) is positive, 7(1/2) + 0 = 7/2 > 0, and the
denominator is positive, the function tends to infinity as (x, y) approaches
(1/2,0). So at (1/2,0), the function has an infinite discontinuity.

So the single discontinuity at (1/2,0) is an infinite discontinuity.

5. Find and classify any discontinuities of the function.

x 2 − 9y 2 − 2x + 1
f (x, y) =
| x − 1 | + | 3y |

Solution:

Simplify the function.

(x − 1)2 − 9y 2
f (x, y) =
|x − 1| + 3|y|

| x − 1 |2 − 9 | y |2
f (x, y) =
|x − 1| + 3|y|

( | x − 1 | − 3 | y | )( | x − 1 | + 3 | y | )
f (x, y) =
|x − 1| + 3|y|

f (x, y) = | x − 1 | − 3 | y | , assuming | x − 1 | + 3 | y | ≠ 0

This function is continuous for all real numbers x and y.

23
If | x − 1 | + 3 | y | = 0, then x − 1 = 0 and y = 0. So the function is discontinuous
at (1,0). Since the function | x − 1 | − 3 | y | is continuous and finite at (1,0), the
function has a removable discontinuity at this point.

So the single discontinuity at (1,0) is removable.

24
COMPOSITIONS OF MULTIVARIABLE FUNCTIONS

1. Find f (g(x, y)).

f (t) = ln(3t)

x+1
g(x, y) =
y+2

Solution:

Substitute g(x, y) for t into f (t).

( y + 2)
x+1
f (x, y) = ln 3

f (x, y) = ln 3 + ln(x + 1) − ln(y + 2)

2. Find f (x(t), y(t)).

f (x, y) = x 2 − y 2 + 3

x(t) = t−5

y(t) = 2t+2

25
Solution:

Substitute x(t) for x and 2t+2 for y into f (x, y).

f (t) = ( t − 5)2 − (2t+2)2 + 3

f (t) = t − 5 − (2t+2)2 + 3

f (t) = t − 5 − 22t+4 + 3

f (t) = t − 2 − 22t+4

3. Find f (u(x, y), v(x, y)).

2 2 u−v
f (u, v) = u + v +
2

u(x, y) = sin(x + y)

v(x, y) = cos(x + y)

Solution:

Substitute u and v into f.

2 2 u−v
f (u, v) = u + v +
2

sin(x + y) − cos(x + y)
f (x, y) = (sin(x + y))2 + (cos(x + y))2 +
2

26
Using the trig identity sin2(a) + cos2(a) = 1 simplifies the equation to

sin(x + y) − cos(x + y)
f (x, y) = 1 +
2

sin(x + y) cos(x + y)
f (x, y) = 1 + −
2 2

Because

π π 1
cos = sin =
4 4 2

the function f (x, y) can be rewritten as

π π
f (x, y) = 1 + cos sin(x + y) − sin cos(x + y)
4 4

By the trigonometric identity sin(a − b) = sin a cos b − cos a sin b, the equation
becomes

( 4)
π
f (x, y) = 1 + sin x + y −

27
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