Continuous Functions

Definition. Given a function w = f (x, y, z), or w = f (x, y) and a point P(a, b, c)

or P(a, b) in the domain of f , We call that f is continuous at P if

(I.T. Leong) Math 200 in 2010 2010 c 9 8F 1/9

Continuous Functions
Definition. Given a function w = f (x, y, z), or w = f (x, y) and a point P(a, b, c)
or P(a, b) in the domain of f , We call that f is continuous at P if

lim f (Q) = f (P).

QP

(I.T. Leong) Math 200 in 2010 2010 c 9 8F 1/9

Continuous Functions
Definition. Given a function w = f (x, y, z), or w = f (x, y) and a point P(a, b, c)
or P(a, b) in the domain of f , We call that f is continuous at P if

lim f (Q) = f (P).

QP

Definition. Let z = f (x, y) or w = f (x, y, z) defined on a domain D in R2 or R3

respectively. f is called continuous on D, if

(I.T. Leong) Math 200 in 2010 2010 c 9 8F 1/9

Continuous Functions
Definition. Given a function w = f (x, y, z), or w = f (x, y) and a point P(a, b, c)
or P(a, b) in the domain of f , We call that f is continuous at P if

lim f (Q) = f (P).

QP

Definition. Let z = f (x, y) or w = f (x, y, z) defined on a domain D in R2 or R3

respectively. f is called continuous on D, if f is continuous at every points of D.

(I.T. Leong) Math 200 in 2010 2010 c 9 8F 1/9

Continuous Functions
Definition. Given a function w = f (x, y, z), or w = f (x, y) and a point P(a, b, c)
or P(a, b) in the domain of f , We call that f is continuous at P if

lim f (Q) = f (P).

QP

Definition. Let z = f (x, y) or w = f (x, y, z) defined on a domain D in R2 or R3

respectively. f is called continuous on D, if f is continuous at every points of D.

It follows from the laws of limits that polynomial functions of n variables are
continuous on Rn .
Proposition Let w = f (x, y) or f (x, y, z) be continuous function on its domain
D Rn (n = 1 or 2 with range R, and g is a scalar continuous function defined
on R. Then the composite function g f is continuous on D.

Proof. It follows from the previous proposition about the proposition about the
limit of composite function.
(I.T. Leong) Math 200 in 2010 2010 c 9 8F 1/9
Partial Derivatives and Their Applications

Definition. Given a function w = f (x, y, z), the partial derivative of a function f

with respect to x at the point P(a, b, c), is defined to be the limit

(I.T. Leong) Math 200 in 2010 2010 c 9 8F 2/9

Partial Derivatives and Their Applications

Definition. Given a function w = f (x, y, z), the partial derivative of a function f

with respect to x at the point P(a, b, c), is defined to be the limit

f
fx (a, b, c) = (a, b, c) =
x

(I.T. Leong) Math 200 in 2010 2010 c 9 8F 2/9

Partial Derivatives and Their Applications

Definition. Given a function w = f (x, y, z), the partial derivative of a function f

with respect to x at the point P(a, b, c), is defined to be the limit

f f (a + h, b, c) f (a, b, c)
fx (a, b, c) = (a, b, c) = lim .
x h0 h

(I.T. Leong) Math 200 in 2010 2010 c 9 8F 2/9

Partial Derivatives and Their Applications

Definition. Given a function w = f (x, y, z), the partial derivative of a function f

with respect to x at the point P(a, b, c), is defined to be the limit

f f (a + h, b, c) f (a, b, c)
fx (a, b, c) = (a, b, c) = lim . (1)
x h0 h

In fact, we freeze the variables y and z as we only take the limit as in the
one-variable case.

(I.T. Leong) Math 200 in 2010 2010 c 9 8F 2/9

Partial Derivatives and Their Applications

Definition. Given a function w = f (x, y, z), the partial derivative of a function f

with respect to x at the point P(a, b, c), is defined to be the limit

f f (a + h, b, c) f (a, b, c)
fx (a, b, c) = (a, b, c) = lim . (1)
x h0 h

In fact, we freeze the variables y and z as we only take the limit as in the
one-variable case. Similarly, we can define the partial derivative of
w = f (x, y, z) with respect to y, or to z at the point P(a, b, c) as follows

f f (a, b + h, c) f (a, b, c)
fy (a, b, c) = (a, b, c) = lim , (2)
y h0 h
f f (a, b, c + h) f (a, b, c)
fz (a, b, c) = (a, b, c) = lim . (3)
z h0 h
(I.T. Leong) Math 200 in 2010 2010 c 9 8F 2/9
 Geometric interpretation of fx (a, b)
Consider the curve Cx by slicing the graph G(f ) in
space of z = f (x, y) with the plane y = b, this curve
is parameterized as follows:

(I.T. Leong) Math 200 in 2010 2010 c 9 8F 3/9

 Geometric interpretation of fx (a, b)
Consider the curve Cx by slicing the graph G(f ) in
space of z = f (x, y) with the plane y = b, this curve
is parameterized as follows:
Cx = { (x, b, f (x, b)) x is a free variable such that
points (x, b) lies in the domain(f ) }.

Ignoring the presence of the variable y, we have a planar graph of Cx in the

xz-plane.

(I.T. Leong) Math 200 in 2010 2010 c 9 8F 3/9

 Geometric interpretation of fx (a, b)
Consider the curve Cx by slicing the graph G(f ) in
space of z = f (x, y) with the plane y = b, this curve
is parameterized as follows:
Cx = { (x, b, f (x, b)) x is a free variable such that
points (x, b) lies in the domain(f ) }.

Ignoring the presence of the variable y, we have a planar graph of Cx in the

xz-plane.So you can talk about the slope of the tangent line to Cx at point
(a, f (a, b)) in the xz-plane.

(I.T. Leong) Math 200 in 2010 2010 c 9 8F 3/9

 Geometric interpretation of fx (a, b)
Consider the curve Cx by slicing the graph G(f ) in
space of z = f (x, y) with the plane y = b, this curve
is parameterized as follows:
Cx = { (x, b, f (x, b)) x is a free variable such that
points (x, b) lies in the domain(f ) }.

Ignoring the presence of the variable y, we have a planar graph of Cx in the

xz-plane.So you can talk about the slope of the tangent line to Cx at point
(a, f (a, b)) in the xz-plane.In this way, the slope measures the rate of change of
function value f (x, b) with respect to the variable x alone.

(I.T. Leong) Math 200 in 2010 2010 c 9 8F 3/9

 Geometric interpretation of fx (a, b)
Consider the curve Cx by slicing the graph G(f ) in
space of z = f (x, y) with the plane y = b, this curve
is parameterized as follows:
Cx = { (x, b, f (x, b)) x is a free variable such that
points (x, b) lies in the domain(f ) }.

Ignoring the presence of the variable y, we have a planar graph of Cx in the

xz-plane.So you can talk about the slope of the tangent line to Cx at point
(a, f (a, b)) in the xz-plane.In this way, the slope measures the rate of change of
function value f (x, b) with respect to the variable x alone. Such a value gives
the partial derivative of the function f (x, y) with respect to x at the point (a, b).

(I.T. Leong) Math 200 in 2010 2010 c 9 8F 3/9

Example. If f (x, y) = exy ln y, find fx (2, y) and fy (2, y).

xy
Solution. (a) fx (x, y) = ln y x (e ) = ln y (yexy ) = y ln y exy , and hence
fx (2, y) = y ln y e2y .

(I.T. Leong) Math 200 in 2010 2010 c 9 8F 4/9

Example. If f (x, y) = exy ln y, find fx (2, y) and fy (2, y).

xy
Solution. (a) fx (x, y) = ln y x (e ) = ln y (yexy ) = y ln y exy , and hence
fx (2, y) = y ln y e2y .
(b) It follows from the product rule and chain rule that
xy exy xy
x (ln ye ) = ( y + ln y (xe ), and

fy (x, y) = hence
2y
fx (2, y) = ( ey + 2e2y ln y) = e2y ( 1y + 2 ln y).

1 x2 u
Example. Let u(x, t) = exp( ), find .
t 4t t

Solution.( By)product rule, we have

( )
1 x2 x2 1
u
t =
t
t
exp ( 4t ) +
t exp ( 4t ) t

(I.T. Leong) Math 200 in 2010 2010 c 9 8F 4/9

Example. If f (x, y) = exy ln y, find fx (2, y) and fy (2, y).

xy
Solution. (a) fx (x, y) = ln y x (e ) = ln y (yexy ) = y ln y exy , and hence
fx (2, y) = y ln y e2y .
(b) It follows from the product rule and chain rule that
xy exy xy
x (ln ye ) = ( y + ln y (xe ), and

fy (x, y) = hence
2y
fx (2, y) = ( ey + 2e2y ln y) = e2y ( 1y + 2 ln y).

1 x2 u
Example. Let u(x, t) = exp( ), find .
t 4t t

Solution.( By)product rule, we have( )

1 x2 x2
u
t =
t t
exp ( 4t ) +
t exp ( 4t ) 1t
2 2
( 2
)
= 1 exp( x4t ) + 1 exp( x4t ) t x4t
2t t t

(I.T. Leong) Math 200 in 2010 2010 c 9 8F 4/9

Example. If f (x, y) = exy ln y, find fx (2, y) and fy (2, y).

xy
Solution. (a) fx (x, y) = ln y x (e ) = ln y (yexy ) = y ln y exy , and hence
fx (2, y) = y ln y e2y .
(b) It follows from the product rule and chain rule that
xy exy xy
x (ln ye ) = ( y + ln y (xe ), and

fy (x, y) = hence
2y
fx (2, y) = ( ey + 2e2y ln y) = e2y ( 1y + 2 ln y).

1 x2 u
Example. Let u(x, t) = exp( ), find .
t 4t t

Solution.( By)product rule, we have( )

1 x2 x2
u
t =
t t
exp ( 4t ) +
t exp ( 4t ) 1t
2 2
( 2
)
= 1 exp( x4t ) + 1 exp( x4t ) t x4t
2t t t
2 2 x2
= 2t1t exp( x4t ) + 1
t
exp( x4t ) 4t2

(I.T. Leong) Math 200 in 2010 2010 c 9 8F 4/9

Example. If f (x, y) = exy ln y, find fx (2, y) and fy (2, y).

xy
Solution. (a) fx (x, y) = ln y x (e ) = ln y (yexy ) = y ln y exy , and hence
fx (2, y) = y ln y e2y .
(b) It follows from the product rule and chain rule that
xy exy xy
x (ln ye ) = ( y + ln y (xe ), and

fy (x, y) = hence
2y
fx (2, y) = ( ey + 2e2y ln y) = e2y ( 1y + 2 ln y).

1 x2 u
Example. Let u(x, t) = exp( ), find .
t 4t t

Solution.( By)product rule, we have( )

1 x2 x2
u
t =
t t
exp ( 4t ) +
t exp ( 4t ) 1t
2 2
( 2
)
= 1 exp( x4t ) + 1 exp( x4t ) t x4t
2t t t
2 2 x2
= 2t1t exp( x4t ) + 1t exp( x4t ) 4t2
2
( 2 )
= 1t exp( x4t ) 4tx 2 2t1

(I.T. Leong) Math 200 in 2010 2010 c 9 8F 4/9

Definition. A curve in space is a vector-valued function given by
r(t)

(I.T. Leong) Math 200 in 2010 2010 c 9 8F 5/9

Definition. A curve in space is a vector-valued function given by
r(t) = (f (t), g(t), h(t)) = f (t)i + g(t)j + h(t)k,

(I.T. Leong) Math 200 in 2010 2010 c 9 8F 5/9

Definition. A curve in space is a vector-valued function given by
r(t) = (f (t), g(t), h(t)) = f (t)i + g(t)j + h(t)k, where the parameter t is real
number in an interval in R, and

(I.T. Leong) Math 200 in 2010 2010 c 9 8F 5/9

Definition. A curve in space is a vector-valued function given by
r(t) = (f (t), g(t), h(t)) = f (t)i + g(t)j + h(t)k, where the parameter t is real
number in an interval in R, and the functions f (t), g(t) and h(t) are function of
one variable in t only.

(I.T. Leong) Math 200 in 2010 2010 c 9 8F 5/9

Definition. A curve in space is a vector-valued function given by
r(t) = (f (t), g(t), h(t)) = f (t)i + g(t)j + h(t)k, where the parameter t is real
number in an interval in R, and the functions f (t), g(t) and h(t) are function of
one variable in t only.

In this definition, if the functions f (t), g(t) and h(t) are differentiable functions,
then

(I.T. Leong) Math 200 in 2010 2010 c 9 8F 5/9

Definition. A curve in space is a vector-valued function given by
r(t) = (f (t), g(t), h(t)) = f (t)i + g(t)j + h(t)k, where the parameter t is real
number in an interval in R, and the functions f (t), g(t) and h(t) are function of
one variable in t only.

In this definition, if the functions f (t), g(t) and h(t) are differentiable functions,
then we call the curve r(t) a differentiable curve.

(I.T. Leong) Math 200 in 2010 2010 c 9 8F 5/9

Definition. A curve in space is a vector-valued function given by
r(t) = (f (t), g(t), h(t)) = f (t)i + g(t)j + h(t)k, where the parameter t is real
number in an interval in R, and the functions f (t), g(t) and h(t) are function of
one variable in t only.

In this definition, if the functions f (t), g(t) and h(t) are differentiable functions,
then we call the curve r(t) a differentiable curve.

Example. r(t) represents the position of a bird flying at sky at the time t.

(I.T. Leong) Math 200 in 2010 2010 c 9 8F 5/9

Definition. A curve in space is a vector-valued function given by
r(t) = (f (t), g(t), h(t)) = f (t)i + g(t)j + h(t)k, where the parameter t is real
number in an interval in R, and the functions f (t), g(t) and h(t) are function of
one variable in t only.

In this definition, if the functions f (t), g(t) and h(t) are differentiable functions,
then we call the curve r(t) a differentiable curve.

Example. r(t) represents the position of a bird flying at sky at the time t.

Definition. A tangent vector of a differentiable curve r(t) = (f (t), g(t), h(t)) is

given by

(I.T. Leong) Math 200 in 2010 2010 c 9 8F 5/9

Definition. A curve in space is a vector-valued function given by
r(t) = (f (t), g(t), h(t)) = f (t)i + g(t)j + h(t)k, where the parameter t is real
number in an interval in R, and the functions f (t), g(t) and h(t) are function of
one variable in t only.

In this definition, if the functions f (t), g(t) and h(t) are differentiable functions,
then we call the curve r(t) a differentiable curve.

Example. r(t) represents the position of a bird flying at sky at the time t.

Definition. A tangent vector of a differentiable curve r(t) = (f (t), g(t), h(t)) is

given by v(t) = (f (t), g (t), h (t)).

(I.T. Leong) Math 200 in 2010 2010 c 9 8F 5/9

Definition. A curve in space is a vector-valued function given by
r(t) = (f (t), g(t), h(t)) = f (t)i + g(t)j + h(t)k, where the parameter t is real
number in an interval in R, and the functions f (t), g(t) and h(t) are function of
one variable in t only.

In this definition, if the functions f (t), g(t) and h(t) are differentiable functions,
then we call the curve r(t) a differentiable curve.

Example. r(t) represents the position of a bird flying at sky at the time t.

Definition. A tangent vector of a differentiable curve r(t) = (f (t), g(t), h(t)) is

given by v(t) = (f (t), g (t), h (t)).

The equation of the tangent line to the curve r(t) at P(a, b, c) = r(t0 ) is given
by
xa yb zc
= = .
x (t0 ) y ( t0 ) z (t0 )

(I.T. Leong) Math 200 in 2010 2010 c 9 8F 5/9

Example. Which of the following vectors is the tangent to the curve
C : r(t) = (sin t, cos t, 2 sin t + 2 cos t) at some point(s):
A. i + j B. i j 2k C. i + j 2k D. i j 2k

The answer is D.
Solution. Let r (t) = (cos t, sin t, 2 cos t 2 sin t) = (a, b, c), one knows that
2a + 2b = c. In particular, A, B and C are not the correct answers. It remains to
check if there are some solutions in t, in the equation
(1, 1, 2) = (cos t, sin t, 2 cos t 2 sin t). We know that
2 = 2 (sin2 t + cos2 t) = (1)2 + (1)2 = 2, thus one can choose the

following solution, for example, = 2, and t = 3 4 .

(I.T. Leong) Math 200 in 2010 2010 c 9 8F 6/9

Definition. Let S be a curved surfaces in space. The tangent plane of the
surface S at a point P on S is the plane passing through P and is normal to the
tangent vector at P of any differentiable curve on S passing through P.

Tangent Plane to Graph of z = f (x, y)

Let G be the graph of z = f (x, y) in space, let P(a, b, f (a, b)) be a point on G,
By slicing the graph G with planes 1 : y = b, and 2 : x = a, one has two
curves Cx : r1 (t) = ( t, b, f (t, b) ) where t is in an interval containing a, and
Cy : r2 (t) = ( a, t, f (a, t) ) where t is in an interval containing b.

Both curves lie on the graph surface of f passing through P, and they gives
out two tangent vectors r1 (a) = ( 1, 0, fx (a, b) ), and r2 (b) = ( 0, 1, fy (a, b) ). Let
N is the normal direction of the tangent plane of S at P, then it follows from the
definition of the tangent plane that  the direction N is
 i j k
 

r1 (a) r2 (b) =  1 0 fx (a, b)  = (fx (a, b), fy (a, b), 1).
 

 0 1 fy (a, b) 
 
(I.T. Leong) Math 200 in 2010 2010 c 9 8F 7/9
Definition. Let S be the graph of a function z = f (x, y) of two variables, then
the equation of the tangent plane of the surface S at the point P(a, b, f (a, b)) is

fx (a, b)(x a) + fy (a, b)(y b)(z c) = 0.

In this case, the normal direction of the tangent plane is given by

N = (fx (a, b), fy (a, b), 1).

(I.T. Leong) Math 200 in 2010 2010 c 9 8F 8/9

Example. Prove that the equation of the tangent plane of sphere
S : x2 + y2 + z2 = R2 at P(a, b, c) on S, with abc = 0, is given by
ax + by + cz = R2 .

(I.T. Leong) Math 200 in 2010 2010 c 9 8F 9/9

Example. Prove that the equation of the tangent plane of sphere
S : x2 + y2 + z2 = R2 at P(a, b, c) on S, with abc = 0, is given by
ax + by + cz = R2 .

Proof. As the product abc = 0, we can rewrite the equation of the sphere
(implicit function) to a valid definition of a function of two variables as

z = f (x, y) = R2 x2 y2 . Then by chain rule in one variable,
f [ 2 ]
(x, y) = (R x2 y2 )1/2
x x

(I.T. Leong) Math 200 in 2010 2010 c 9 8F 9/9

Example. Prove that the equation of the tangent plane of sphere
S : x2 + y2 + z2 = R2 at P(a, b, c) on S, with abc = 0, is given by
ax + by + cz = R2 .

Proof. As the product abc = 0, we can rewrite the equation of the sphere
(implicit function) to a valid definition of a function of two variables as

z = f (x, y) = R2 x2 y2 . Then by chain rule in one variable,
f [ 2 ] 1
(x, y) = (R x2 y2 )1/2 = (R2 x2 y2 )1/21 (R2 x2 y2 )
x x 2 x

(I.T. Leong) Math 200 in 2010 2010 c 9 8F 9/9

Example. Prove that the equation of the tangent plane of sphere
S : x2 + y2 + z2 = R2 at P(a, b, c) on S, with abc = 0, is given by
ax + by + cz = R2 .

Proof. As the product abc = 0, we can rewrite the equation of the sphere
(implicit function) to a valid definition of a function of two variables as

z = f (x, y) = R2 x2 y2 . Then by chain rule in one variable,
f [ 2 ] 1
(x, y) = (R x2 y2 )1/2 = (R2 x2 y2 )1/21 (R2 x2 y2 )
x x 2 x
1 x
= (2x) = =
2
2 R x y 2 2 R x2 y2
2

(I.T. Leong) Math 200 in 2010 2010 c 9 8F 9/9

Example. Prove that the equation of the tangent plane of sphere
S : x2 + y2 + z2 = R2 at P(a, b, c) on S, with abc = 0, is given by
ax + by + cz = R2 .

Proof. As the product abc = 0, we can rewrite the equation of the sphere
(implicit function) to a valid definition of a function of two variables as

z = f (x, y) = R2 x2 y2 . Then by chain rule in one variable,
f [ 2 ] 1
(x, y) = (R x2 y2 )1/2 = (R2 x2 y2 )1/21 (R2 x2 y2 )
x x 2 x
1 x x
= (2x) = = ,
2
2 R x y 2 2 2
R x y2 2 z

(I.T. Leong) Math 200 in 2010 2010 c 9 8F 9/9

Example. Prove that the equation of the tangent plane of sphere
S : x2 + y2 + z2 = R2 at P(a, b, c) on S, with abc = 0, is given by
ax + by + cz = R2 .

Proof. As the product abc = 0, we can rewrite the equation of the sphere
(implicit function) to a valid definition of a function of two variables as

z = f (x, y) = R2 x2 y2 . Then by chain rule in one variable,
f [ 2 ] 1
(x, y) = (R x2 y2 )1/2 = (R2 x2 y2 )1/21 (R2 x2 y2 )
x x 2 x
1 x x
= (2x) = = , and similarly,
2
2 R x y 2 2 2
R x y2 2 z
f y y
(x, y) = = .
y R2 x2 y2 z

(I.T. Leong) Math 200 in 2010 2010 c 9 8F 9/9

Example. Prove that the equation of the tangent plane of sphere
S : x2 + y2 + z2 = R2 at P(a, b, c) on S, with abc = 0, is given by
ax + by + cz = R2 .

Proof. As the product abc = 0, we can rewrite the equation of the sphere
(implicit function) to a valid definition of a function of two variables as

z = f (x, y) = R2 x2 y2 . Then by chain rule in one variable,
f [ 2 ] 1
(x, y) = (R x2 y2 )1/2 = (R2 x2 y2 )1/21 (R2 x2 y2 )
x x 2 x
1 x x
= (2x) = = , and similarly,
2
2 R x y 2 2 2
R x y 2 2 z
f y y
(x, y) = = . Then the normal vector to the tangent plane
y R2 x2 y2 z
is N(a, b, c) = (fx (a, b), fy (a, b), 1) = ( ac , bc , 1).

(I.T. Leong) Math 200 in 2010 2010 c 9 8F 9/9

Example. Prove that the equation of the tangent plane of sphere
S : x2 + y2 + z2 = R2 at P(a, b, c) on S, with abc = 0, is given by
ax + by + cz = R2 .

Proof. As the product abc = 0, we can rewrite the equation of the sphere
(implicit function) to a valid definition of a function of two variables as

z = f (x, y) = R2 x2 y2 . Then by chain rule in one variable,
f [ 2 ] 1
(x, y) = (R x2 y2 )1/2 = (R2 x2 y2 )1/21 (R2 x2 y2 )
x x 2 x
1 x x
= (2x) = = , and similarly,
2
2 R x y 2 2 2
R x y 2 2 z
f y y
(x, y) = = . Then the normal vector to the tangent plane
y R2 x2 y2 z
is N(a, b, c) = (fx (a, b), fy (a, b), 1) = ( ac , bc , 1).
Then the equation of is
a b a(x a) b(y b)
0 = ( , , 1) (x a, y b, z c) = + (z c),
c c c
i.e. ax + by + cz = a2 + b2 + c2 = R2 .
(I.T. Leong) Math 200 in 2010 2010 c 9 8F 9/9