8/9/22, 10:33 AM Chapter 3 Limits and Continuity | MATH1006 Calculus

Limits and Continuity

1 Recap: limits for one variable Function

In the Autumn term, we saw the definition of a limit for a univariate function of one variable. The
function f (x) tending to L , denoted limx→a f (x) = L , means that the limit of f (x) as x tends to
a from below and the limit of f (x) as x tends to a from above are both equal to L .

The formal definition, known as the ϵ − δ definition, is that given any ϵ > 0 , there exists δ > 0

such that |f (x) − L| < ϵ , for all x with |x − a| < δ .

Furthermore, the function f (x) is continuous at x = a of the limit exists at this point, and equals
f (a) .

In this section we will generalise this theory to a function of two variables.

2 Graphical Introduction to Limits

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Consider a function

f : D → R

where is some region in . This function can be represented graphically by a surface as in

2
D R

Chapter 1. Let such that some circular region centered on is contained entirely
2
(a, b) ∈ R (a, b)

within D , with the possible exception of the point (a, b) .

Consider (x, y) ∈ D that approaches (a, b) becoming infinitely close, but never equal to (a, b) .
This could happen in a continuous fashion along a suitable curve, or via a sequence of discrete
points. One may ask about the behaviour of the point P = (x, y, f (x, y)) on the surface as the
coordinates (x, y) approach (a, b) . There are three distinct possibilities:

1.) For all possible ways that (x, y) approaches (a, b) then the value f (x, y) tends to the same
value l, that is, P = (x, y, f (x, y)) approaches (a, b, l) . Furthermore the point (a, b) ∈ D , and
f (a, b) = l . In this case, one says that f is continuous and that the limit exists as (x, y) tends to
(a, b) . This is denoted by lim(x,y)→(a,b) f (x, y) = l .

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Example 2.1
Consider the function

f (x, y) = 1 + 2x + y.

2
Let (x, y) ∈ R be a point that is not equal to (0, 0) , but does tend towards the (0, 0) . Then

lim f (x, y) = lim 1 + 2x + y

(x,y)→(0,0) (x,y)→(0,0)

= lim (1) + lim (2x) + lim (y)

(x,y)→(0,0) (x,y)→(0,0) (x,y)→(0,0)

= 1 + 0 + 0

= f (0, 0)

= 1.

This is therefore an example of a function that belongs to Case 1.).

2.) For all possible ways that (x, y) approaches (a, b) then the value f (x, y) tends to the same
value l, that is, P = (x, y, f (x, y)) approaches (a, b, l) . However (a, b) does not necessarily
belong to D , and if indeed (a, b) does belong to D , then f (a, b) ≠ l . One still says that the limit
exists, denoted f (x, y) → l as (x, y) → (a, b) , however f is now said to be discontinuous at
(a, b) .

Example 2.2
Consider the function
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2 2
sin(x +y )

2 2
, if (x, y) ≠ (0, 0),
f (x, y) = { x +y

0, otherwise.

Let be a point that is not equal to , but does tend towards the . Then
2
(x, y) ∈ R (0, 0) (0, 0)

2 2
sin(x + y )
lim f (x, y) = lim
2 2
(x,y)→(0,0) (x,y)→(0,0) x + y

sin(t)
2 2
= lim , where t = x + y ,
t→0 t

= 1, for sufficiently small t as (x, y) → 0,

≠ f (0, 0)

= 0.

This is therefore an example of a function that belongs to Case 2.).

3.) The value that f (x, y) tends to varies dependent on the approach of (x, y) towards (a, b) .
One says that there does not exist a limit.

Example 2.3
Consider the function

2xy

2 2
, if (x, y) ≠ (0, 0),
x +y
f (x, y) = {
0, otherwise.

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Consider points of the form (t, 0) as t tends towards zero:

0
lim f (t, 0) = lim = 0.
t→0 t→0 2
t

Alternatively consider points of the form (t, t) as t tends towards zero:

2
2t
lim f (t, t) = lim = 1.
t→0 t→0 2
2t

Since these two limits do not agree, this is an example of a function that belongs to Case 3.).

We will see formal definitions of the two concepts of limits and continuity in the upcoming
sections.

3 Formal Definition of Limits

Section 3.2 provided an informal approach to limits, considering the problem from a mostly
graphical perspective. The word approach was frequently used, and indeed was central to the
discussion of cases, however a precise formal mathematical definition of approach is not given.
This means we do not yet have a formal mathematical definition of a limit. The following definition
of a limit, known as the ϵ − δ definition of a limit is unambiguous and testable for a function of
two variables.

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Definition 3.1
One says f (x, y) has limit l as (x, y) approaches (a, b) if given any ϵ > 0 , we can find
δ > 0 such that

|f (x, y) − l| < ϵ, if 0 < |(x, y) − (a, b)| < δ.

Here |(x, y) − (a, b)| is the distance between the two points (x, y) and (a, b) , specifically:

2 2
(x, y) − (a, b) = √(x − a) + (y − b) .

Since it is specified that 0 < |(x, y) − (a, b)| , the value of f (x, y) at (a, b) itself does not play a
role in the definition.

There are similarities between the univariate definition of a limit, and the definition for a function
of two variables.

An informal interpretation of what it means to show a limit of a function exists at (a, b) is as

follows: I will choose some positive value of ϵ for which I expect f (x, y) to be that close to l. You
do not know what value of ϵ that I will choose, but irrespectively your job is to retort with some
specific value for δ, possibly in terms of the unknown ϵ, such that provided (x, y) and (a, b) are
within δ of each other and are distinct, then my wish of f (x, y) and l being within ϵ of each other
is fulfilled.

Example 3.2

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Consider the function f (x, y) = x

2
+ 2y
2
. Show that f (x, y) tends to the limit 0 as
(x, y) → (0, 0) .

Let ϵ > 0 . Choose δ = √

ϵ
. Suppose 0 < |(x, y) − (0, 0)| = |(x, y)| < δ . Then
2

|f (x, y) − 0| = |f (x, y)|

2 2
= |x + 2y |

2 2
=x + 2y

2 2
≤ 2 (x + y )

= 2|(x, y)|

2
< 2δ
2
ϵ
= 2(√ )
2

= ϵ

Note how closely the example answer follows the logic of Definition 3.3.1. It may appear that δ

was chosen without explanation. Some rough work will have been completed on the side prior to
writing up to find the expression for δ that ensures that the sequence of inequalities terminates
with < ϵ as required.

4 Continuity

The formal definition of continuity follows from the definition of a limit, as it did in Section 3.2.

Definition 4.1
The function f is continuous at (a, b) if (a, b) belongs to the domain of f , and

lim f (x, y) = f (a, b).

(x,y)→(a,b)

Example 4.2
Consider the function

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2 2
sin(x +y )

2 2
, if (x, y) ≠ (0, 0),
g(x, y) = { x +y

1, otherwise.

We can calculate that

lim(x,y)→(0,0) g(x, y) = 1 ;

g(0, 0) = 1 .

Hence g is continuous at (0, 0) .

It is important to compare Example 3.2.2 and Example 3.4.1.

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