MULTIVARIATE CALCULUS

CONTINUITY OF MULTIVARIATE FUNCTIONS

PREPARED BY: MR. RUEL I. CIUETO

TIP_MPD
Intended Learning Outcome
a. Define continuity of the function of two variables.
b. Determine the continuity of the functions of two
variables.
c. Illustrate the continuity of the given function of two
variables.
d. Research some applications of the concept in the field.
At the end of the lesson:

Research/Problem Set 1 (by 5)

1) What is a function of two variables?
2) Describe the three methods for visualizing a function of two variables?
Show examples and illustration/s.
3) What does lim 𝑓 𝑥, 𝑦 = 𝐿 mean? How can you show that such a
x,y → a,b
limit does not exist?
4) What is a function of three variables? How can you visualize such a
function?
5) a) What does it mean to say that f is continuous at (a,b)?
b) If f is continuous on R2, what can you say about its graph?
3𝑥 2 𝑦
6. Use Squeeze Theorem to find the limit of f(x,y) = .
𝑥 2+ 𝑦2
7. Research or interview in your field, how the concept will be applied.
Review
Compare the behavior of the functions

sin(𝑥 2 +𝑦 2 ) 𝑥2− 𝑦2
f(x,y) = and g(x,y) =
𝑥2+ 𝑦2 𝑥2+ 𝑦2

as x and y approaches to 0 [the point (x,y)

approaches the origin]
 2 2
sin(𝑥 +𝑦 ) 2
𝑥 −𝑦 2
f(x,y) = 2 2 g(x,y) = 2 2
𝑥 +𝑦 𝑥 +𝑦

x y x y
-0.2 0 0.2 -0.2 0 0.2
-.2 0.999 1.000 0.999 -.2 0.999 1.000 0.999

0 1.000 1.000 0 -1.000 -1.000

0.2 0.999 1.000 0.999 0.2 0.999 1.000 0.999

It appears that as (x,y) approaches (0,0), The values g(x,y) aren’t approaching
the values of f(x,y) are approaching 1 any number
Therefore,
2 2
sin(𝑥 + 𝑦 )
lim = 1
x,y → 0,0 𝑥2 + 𝑦2

2 2
𝑥 −𝑦
lim = 𝑑𝑜𝑒𝑠 𝑛𝑜𝑡 𝑒𝑥𝑖𝑠𝑡.
x,y → 0,0 𝑥2 + 𝑦2
In general, we use the notation
lim 𝑓 𝑥 =𝐿
x,y → a,b

to indicate that the values of f(x,y)

approaches the point (a,b) along any path
that says with the domain of f.
Definition:
Let f be a function of two variables whose domain D
includes points arbitrarily close to (a,b). Then we say
that the limit of f(x,y) as (x,y) approaches (a,b) is L and
we write
lim 𝑓 𝑥 =𝐿
x,y → a,b

If for every number ε> 0 there is a corresponding δ>0

Such that if (x,y) ∈ and 0 < 𝑥 − 𝑎 2 + 𝑦 − 𝑏 2 < δ then
│f(x,y) - L│ < ∈.
Other notations for the limit in Definition 1 are:

𝐥𝐢𝐦
𝒙→𝒂
𝒇 𝒙, 𝒚 = 𝑳
𝒚→𝒃

f(x,y) → as (x,y) → (a,b)

Notice that │f(x,y) - L│ is the distance between

the numbers f(x,y) and L, and
𝑥 − 𝑎 2 + 𝑦 − 𝑏 2 is the distance between
the point (x,y) and the point (a,b).
Notice that

│f(x,y) - L│ is the distance between the numbers f(x,y) and L, and

𝑥−𝑎 2+ 𝑦−𝑏 2 is the distance between the point (x,y) and the point (a,b).
 𝑥2 − 𝑦2
lim = 𝑑𝑜𝑒𝑠 𝑛𝑜𝑡 𝑒𝑥𝑖𝑠𝑡.
x,y → 0,0 𝑥2 + 𝑦2

At y = 0 ; f(x,y) → 1 as (x,y) → (0,0) along the

x-axis.

At x = 0 ; f(x,y) → -1 as (x,y) → (0,0) along

the y-axis.

Since f has two different limits along two different

lines, the given limit does not exist.
Continuity
Recall that evaluating limits of continuous
functions of a single variable is easy. It can be
accomplished by direct substitution because of the
defining property of a continuous function is
lim 𝑓 𝑥 = 𝑓(𝑎) . Continuous function of two
x→a
variables is also defined by direct substitution
property.
Definition:
A function f of two variables is called continuous at
(a,b) if
𝐥𝐢𝐦 𝒇 𝒙, 𝒚 = 𝒇(𝒂, 𝒃)
𝐱,𝒚 → 𝐚,𝒃

We say f is continuous on D if f is continuous

at every point (a,b) in D.
 The intuitive meaning of continuity is that if the
point (x,y) changes by small amount, then the value of
f(x,y) changes by small amount. This means that a
surface that is the graph of a continuous function has
no hole or break.

Using the properties of limits, you can see the

sums, differences, products, and quotients of
continuous functions are continuous on their domains.
Use this fact to give examples of continuous functions.
 A polynomial function of two variables (or
polynomial for short) is a sum of terms of the
form cxmyn, where c is a constant and m and n
are non negative integers. A rational functions is
a ratio of polynomials.
For instance
f(x,y) = x4 + 5x3y2 + 6xy4 – 7y + 6 is a polynomial
and
𝟐𝒚+𝟏
g(x,y) = 𝟐 𝟐 is a rational
𝒙 +𝒚
 The limits shows that the functions f(x,y) = x, g(x,y)
= y and h(x,y) = c are continuous. Since any polynomial
can be built up out of the simple functions f, g, and h by
multiplication and addition, it follows that all
polynomials are continuous on R2. Likewise any rational
functions is continuous on its domain because it is a
quotient of continuous functions.

𝒙
In your Differential Calculus, let f(x) = 1 and g(x) = ,
𝒙
are they equal functions? Why?
Example 1:
𝟐 𝟑 𝟑 𝟐
Evaluate : 𝒍𝒊𝒎 (𝒙 𝒚 − 𝒙 𝒚 + 𝟑𝒙 + 𝟐𝒚)
𝒙,𝒚 → 𝟏,𝟐

Since the f(x,y) = 𝒙𝟐 𝒚𝟑 − 𝒙𝟑 𝒚𝟐 + 𝟑𝒙 + 𝟐𝒚 is a polynomial, it is

continuous everywhere, so we can find the limit by direct
substitution:

then what is the limit of the function? Solve.

 2 3 3 2
lim (𝑥 𝑦 − 𝑥 𝑦 + 3𝑥 + 2𝑦) = 11
x,y → 1,2
Example 2:

𝒙 𝟐 −𝒚 𝟐
Where is the function f(x,y) = 𝟐 𝟐
𝒙 +𝒚
continuous?
Example 2:
Solution:
𝑥 2 −𝑦 2
f(x,y) =
𝑥2+ 𝑦2

The function f is discontinuous at (0,0) because it is

not defined there. Since f is a rational function, it is
continuous on its domain, which is the set
D = {(x,y)│(x,y) ≠ (0,0)}
 A function of two variables is said to be
continuous if the following statements are satisfied:

i) f(a,b) exists

ii) 𝐥𝐢𝐦 𝒇 𝒙, 𝒚 exists

𝐱,𝐲 → (𝐚,𝐛

iii) f(a,b) = 𝐥𝐢𝐦 𝒇(𝒙, 𝒚)

𝐱,𝒚 → 𝐚,𝒃
 𝟐 𝟑 𝟑 𝟐
Show that f(x,y) = 𝒙 𝒚 − 𝒙 𝒚 + 𝟑𝒙 + 𝟐𝒚
is continuous at (1,2).
Show that the piece-wise defined function is
discontinuous at (0,0)

𝑥 2 −𝑦 2
If (x,y) ≠ (0,0)
g(x,y) =ቐ𝑥 2 + 𝑦2
0 If (x,y) = (0,0)
How about

sin(𝑥 2 +𝑦 2 )
If (x,y) ≠ (0,0)
•g(x,y) =ቐ 𝑥 2 + 𝑦 2
If (x,y) = (0,0)
0
ACTIVITY TIME BY GROUP
Number Heads Together
Group Activity: Cueto “66”
Form 6 circles with 6 members and each member will choose a number
(from 1-6).
Members Assigned Number Assignment Student’s Name
Member 1
Member 2
Member 3
Member 4
Member 5
Member 6
Your Assignment/Role in the group
Member 1 - Teacher
Member 2 - Secretary
Member 3 – Time Keeper
Member 4 – Leader
Member 5 – Reporter
Member 6 – Peace Officer
Member 7 – Member
Group Activity:
Form 6 circles with 6 members and each member will choose a number
(from 1-6). Your task is to answer and discuss the given problem in 6 mins.

Members Assigned Number Assignment Student’s Name

Member 1 Teacher
Member 2 Secretary
Member 3 Time Keeper
Member 4 Leader
Member 5 Reporter
Member 6 Peace Officer
Member Number 7, your role is being a member of the group.
Criteria:
Activity Proper:
Form 6 circles with 6 members and each member will choose a number
(from 1-6). Your task is to answer and discuss the given problem in 6 mins.

Members Assigned Number Assignment Student’s Name

Member 1 Teacher
Member 2 Secretary
Member 3 Time Keeper
Member 4 Leader
Member 5 Reporter
Member 6 Peace Officer
Member Number 7, your role is being a member of the group.
Other Example:

Where is the function

𝑦
h(x,y) = arctan ( ) continuous?
𝑥
Solution:
𝑦
The function f(x,y) = is a rational function and therefore
𝑥
continuous except on the line x = 0.

The function g(t) = arctan (t) is

continuous everywhere.

𝑦
So the composite function g(f(x,y) = arctan (𝑥 ) = h(x,y) is
continuous except x = 0.
 𝑦 The figure shows the break in
h(x,y) = arctan ( )
𝑥 the graph of h above the
y – axis.
Problems
Determine the continuity and discontinuity of the following functions.
3𝑥 2 𝑦
If (x,y) ≠ (0,0)
1. Let g(x,y) =ቐ𝑥 2+ 𝑦2
0 If (x,y) = (0,0)

𝑥𝑦
If (x,y) ≠ (0,0)
2. Let f(x,y) =൝𝑥 2 + 𝑦2
0 If (x,y) = (0,0)
Problems:

sin(𝑥 2 +𝑦 2 )
3. Let h(x,y) =ቐ 𝑥 2 + 𝑦2 If (x,y) ≠ (0,0)
1 If (x,y) = (0,0)

𝑥𝑦
4. Let g(x,y) = ቐ 𝑥 2+ 𝑦2
0
Summary: Research/Problem Set 1 (by 5)
1) What is a function of two variables?
2) Describe the three methods for visualizing a function of two variables?
Show examples and illustration/s.
3) What does lim 𝑓 𝑥, 𝑦 = 𝐿 mean? How can you show that such a
x,y → a,b
limit does not exist?
4) What is a function of three variables? How can you visualize such a
function?
5) a) What does it mean to say that f is continuous at (a,b)?
b) If f is continuous on R2, what can you say about its graph?
3𝑥 2 𝑦
6. Use Squeeze Theorem to find the limit of f(x,y) = 𝑥 2+ 𝑦2
.
7. Research or interview in your field, how the concept will be applied.
Date of Submission: February 13, 2025 in Canvas
Assessment : by GROUP
Quiz 1:
1. For each of the following functions, evaluate f(3,2) and find and
sketch the domain.
𝑥+𝑦+1
a. f(x,y) = b. f(x,y) = x ln (𝑦 2 − 𝑥)
𝑥 −1
2. Sketch the graph of g(x,y) = 9 − 𝑥 2 − 𝑦 2 .
3. Sketch the level curves of the function g(x,y) = 9 − 𝑥 2 − 𝑦 2
for k = 0, 1, 2, 3.