Chapter one

(1-1) Multi-Variable Functions

# Motivation

(1) Describe the distance between a given point (x0, y0) and a variable point (x, y) in
xy- plane.

𝑑(𝑥, 𝑦) = √(𝑥 − 𝑥0 )2 + (𝑦 − 𝑦0 )2

The variables 𝑥 and 𝑦 are called independent variables while 𝑑 is called dependent
variable.

)2) Write down the expression of the volume of a box with side lengths x, y and z.

𝑉(𝑥, 𝑦, 𝑧) = 𝑥𝑦𝑧

The variables 𝑥, 𝑦 and 𝑧 are called independent variables while 𝑉 is called dependent
variable.

#Definition of a Function of Several Variables:

Definition A function of two real variables x and y is the rule which assigns a
unique real number f(x, y) to each point in some set D in the xy - plane.

Example 1-1-1:

Consider the function𝑓(𝑥, 𝑦) = 𝑥 2 + 𝑦 2 . Here, 𝑓 depends on two variables, 𝑥 and y.

For example:

If 𝑥 = 1 and 𝑦 = 2, then 𝑓(1, 2) = 12 + 22 = 5.

Definition A function of three real variables x, y and z is the rule which assigns
a unique real number f(x, y,z) to each point in the set D in the 3 dimensional
space.
Remark: The set D in the above definitions is called the domain of the function.
It is the set of points where the function is defined.

Example 1-1-2:

The value of 𝑓(𝑥, 𝑦, 𝑧) = √𝑥 2 + 𝑦 2 + 𝑧 2 at the point (3, 0, 4) is

𝑓(3,0,4) = √32 + 02 + 42 = 5.

In general, A function of several variables is a relationship that assigns a single

output value to a combination of input values. Specifically, if 𝑓 is a function of 𝑛
variables, it can be written as:

𝑓(𝑥1 , 𝑥2 , … , 𝑥𝑛 )

where 𝑥1 , 𝑥2 , … , 𝑥𝑛 are the input variables.

The functions of several variables are crucial in various engineering fields. They
allow engineers to model and analyze systems that depend on multiple factors
simultaneously. For example, Optimal design of systems, resource allocation, and
performance optimization in fields like aerospace, mechanical engineering, and
economics, heat conduction (Fourier’s law), fluid dynamics (Navier-Stokes
equations), and structural analysis (elasticity equations).
# Domain of Functions of Two Variables

Definition If 𝑓(𝑥, 𝑦) is a function of two variables then the domain of 𝑓

is the region in the 𝑥𝑦 – plane for which this function is defined.

Example 1-1-3: Find and sketch the domain of the function

𝑓 (𝑥, 𝑦) = √𝑥 + 𝑦

Solution

We know, from Math 103,

that x + y should be greater than or equal to zero.

 x+ y0

We first draw the line 𝑥 + 𝑦 = 0, which will divide the 𝑥𝑦-plane into two parts, one
part on each side of the line. On one part 𝑥 + 𝑦 > 0 and on the second part

𝑥 + 𝑦 < 0. We just take any point in any side to check the sign of the expression

𝑥 + 𝑦 on this side.
Example 1-1-4: Find and sketch the domain of the function

f ( x, y ) = ln(9 − x 2 − 9 y 2 )

Solution

We know, from Math 1, that 9 - x2 - 9y2 should be greater than zero, i. e.

2 2 2
𝑥2 2
∴ 9 − 𝑥 − 9𝑦 > 0 ⇒ 𝑥 + 9𝑦 < 9 ⇒ + 𝑦2 < 1
9
𝑥2
We first draw the ellipse + 𝑦2 = 1
9

which will divide the xy-plane into two parts, one part inside the ellipse
𝑥2
and the other part outside. On the inner part + 𝑦 2 = 1, may be positive
9

or negative. We just take any point in any part to check the sign of the
expression on this side
Example 1-1-5 For the following function, evaluate f(3, 2) and find its domain.

√𝑥 + 𝑦 + 1
𝑓(𝑥, 𝑦) =
𝑥−1

Solution

√3+2+1 √6
𝑓(3,2) = = , D = {(x, y) |x + y + 1 ≥ 0, x ≠ 1}
3−1 2

Example 1-1-6 Evaluate f(3, 2) and find the domain of the function

𝑓(𝑥, 𝑦) = 𝑥 𝑙𝑛( 𝑦 2 − 𝑥)

Solution

f(3, 2) = 3 ln(22 – 3) = 3 ln 1 = 0

Since ln(y2 – x) is defined only when y2 – x > 0, that is, x < y2,

hence, the domain of f is: D = {(x, y)| x < y2}

# Domain of Functions of Three Variables

Definition If w = f(x, y, z) is a function of three variables then the domain of

f is the region in xyz-space for which this function is defined.

Example 1-1-7: Find and sketch the domain of the function

1
𝑓(𝑥, 𝑦, 𝑧) =
√𝑥 2 + 𝑦 2 + 𝑧 2 − 16

Solution

Similar to what we have done in the previous cases we must have that

𝑥 2 + 𝑦 2 + 𝑧 2 > 16, then from the equation of the sphere: 𝑥 2 + 𝑦 2 + 𝑧 2 = 16,

we can see that the required domain is the set of all points exterior to this sphere.
Example 1-1-8: Find and sketch the domain of the function

cos−1 𝑧
𝑓 (𝑥, 𝑦, 𝑧) =
1+√𝑥 2 +𝑦 2 −1
Solution

The domain consist of all triples (𝑥, 𝑦, 𝑧) with 𝑥 2 + 𝑦 2 ≥ 1 and |𝑧| ≤ 1.

This is the region outside of the cylinder and bounded by the two planes

𝑧 = −1, 𝑧 = 1.
Sheet (1-1)
 (1-2) Limits and Continuity in Higher Dimensions
One of the main differences between limits of functions of one variable and limits

of functions of two variables is that limits of functions of one variable at a point

x = a are considered in an interval on the number line while limits of functions of

two variables at a point x = a, y = b are considered in a disc in the xy-plane. For

example, with a function of one variable at 𝑥0 , |𝑥 − 𝑥0 |< δ , this would mean that

within the interval the distance of x from 𝑥0 is always less than δ . With a function
of two variables at (𝑥0 , 𝑦0 ), √(𝑥 − 𝑥0 )2 − (𝑦 − 𝑦0 )2 < δ , this would mean that the
point (𝑥0 , 𝑦0 ) lies within a circle whose radius is δ .

Another main difference is that to find the limit of a function of one variable at a

point x = a, we approached a from both the left side and the right side. If both

limits were the same, the function had a limit. To find the limit of a function of

two variables at (𝑥0 , 𝑦0 ) , we must show that the limit is the same no matter from

which direction we approach (𝑥0 , 𝑦0 ).

Definition We say that a function 𝒇(𝒙, 𝒚) approaches the limit L as (𝒙, 𝒚)

approaches (𝒙𝟎 , 𝒚𝟎 )., and write
𝐥𝐢𝐦 𝒇(𝒙, 𝒚) = 𝑳
(𝒙,𝒚)→(𝒙𝟎 ,𝒚𝟎 )

if, for every number 𝝐 > 𝟎, there exists a corresponding number 𝜹 > 𝟎 such
that for all (𝒙, 𝒚) in the domain of ƒ,
|𝒇(𝒙, 𝒚) − 𝑳| < 𝝐 whenever 𝟎 < √(𝑥 − 𝑥0 )2 − (𝑦 − 𝑦0 )2 < 𝛿.
The definition of limit says that the distance between 𝑓(𝑥, 𝑦) and L becomes
arbitrarily small whenever the distance from (𝑥, 𝑦) to (x0, y0) is made sufficiently
small (but not 0). The definition applies to interior points (x0, y0) as well as
boundary points of the domain of ƒ, although a boundary point need not lie within
the domain. The points (x, y) that approach (𝑥0 , 𝑦0 ). are always taken to be in the
domain of ƒ. See Figure

IMPORTANT! If we approach (𝑥0 , 𝑦0 ), from two different directions and get two
different results, 𝑓(𝑥, 𝑦) does not have a limit. If we approach (𝑥0 , 𝑦0 ) , from two

different directions and get the same result, it doesn’t necessarily mean 𝑓(𝑥, 𝑦) has

that limit. We have to get the same limit no matter from which direction we approach
(𝑥0 , 𝑦0 ). To do this we would sometimes have to use the definition of the limit of a
function of two variables in order to be sure we have the right limit.
Example 1-2-1: Find the limit

𝒙 − 𝒙𝒚 + 𝟑
𝐥𝐢𝐦
(𝒙,𝒚)→(𝟎,𝟎) 𝒙𝟐 𝒚+ 𝟓𝒙𝒚 − 𝒚𝟑

Solution

Example 1-2-2: Find the limit

𝒙𝟐
𝐥𝐢𝐦
(𝒙,𝒚)→(𝟎,𝟎) 𝒙𝟐 + 𝒚𝟐
Solution

𝒙𝟐 𝟎
Let 𝑥 = 0 first 𝐥𝐢𝐦 = =𝟎
(𝒙,𝒚)→(𝟎,𝟎) 𝒙𝟐 +𝒚𝟐 𝟎+𝒚𝟐

𝒙𝟐 𝒙𝟐 𝒙𝟐
Now, let 𝑦 = 0 first 𝐥𝐢𝐦 = = =𝟏
(𝒙,𝒚)→(𝟎,𝟎) 𝒙𝟐 +𝒚𝟐 𝒙𝟐 +𝟎 𝒙𝟐

Since we got two different results, the limit dose not exist.

Example 1-2-3: Find the limit

𝒙𝟐 − 𝒚𝟐
𝐥𝐢𝐦
(𝒙,𝒚)→(𝟎,𝟎) 𝒙𝟐 + 𝒚𝟐

Solution

𝒙𝟐 −𝒚𝟐 −𝒚𝟐
Let 𝑥 = 0 first 𝐥𝐢𝐦 = = −𝟏
(𝒙,𝒚)→(𝟎,𝟎) 𝒙𝟐 +𝒚𝟐 𝒚𝟐

𝒙𝟐 −𝒚𝟐 𝒙𝟐
Now, let 𝑦 = 0 first 𝐥𝐢𝐦 = =𝟏
(𝒙,𝒚)→(𝟎,𝟎) 𝒙𝟐 +𝒚𝟐 𝒙𝟐

Since we got two different results, the limit dose not exist.

Example 1-2-4: Find the limit

𝒙𝟐 𝒚
𝐥𝐢𝐦
(𝒙,𝒚)→(𝟎,𝟎) 𝒙𝟐 + 𝒚𝟐

Solution
Definition A function 𝒇(𝒙, 𝒚) is continuous at the point (𝑥0 , 𝑦0 ) if
1. ƒ is defined at (𝑥0 , 𝑦0 ).
2. 𝐥𝐢𝐦 𝒇(𝒙, 𝒚) exist.
(𝒙,𝒚)→(𝒙𝟎 ,𝒚𝟎 )

3. 𝐥𝐢𝐦 𝒇(𝒙, 𝒚) = 𝒇(𝑥0 , 𝑦0 )

(𝒙,𝒚)→(𝒙𝟎 ,𝒚𝟎 )

A function is continuous if it is continuous at every point of its domain.

As with the definition of limit, the definition of continuity applies at boundary points
as well as interior points of the domain of ƒ. The only requirement is that each point
(𝑥, 𝑦) near (𝑥0 , 𝑦0 ) be in the domain of ƒ. A consequence of Theorem 1 is that
algebraic combinations of continuous functions are continuous at every point at
which all the functions involved are defined. This means that sums, differences,
constant multiples, products, quotients, and powers of continuous functions are
continuous where defined. In particular, polynomials and rational functions of two
variables are continuous at every point at which they are defined.

Example 1-2-5: Show that

is continuous at every point except the origin.

Solution

The function ƒ is continuous at any point (𝑥, 𝑦) ≠ (0,0) because its values are

then given by a rational function of x and y and the limiting value is obtained by
substituting the values of x and y into the functional expression.

At (0, 0), the value of ƒ is defined, but ƒ, we claim, has no limit as (𝑥, 𝑦) → (0,0).
The reason is that different paths of approach to the origin can lead to different
results, as we now see. For every value of m, the function ƒ has a constant value on
the “punctured” line 𝑦 = 𝑚𝑥, 𝑥 ≠ 0 because
Therefore, ƒ has this number as its limit as (𝑥, 𝑦) approaches (0, 0) along the line:

This limit changes with each value of the slope m. There is therefore no single
number we may call the limit of ƒ as (𝑥, 𝑦) approaches the origin. The limit fails to
exist, and the function is not continuous.
 Sheet (1-2)
Determine whether the following limits exist.

(1)

(2)
(3)

(4)
 aSSignment (2)
(1)

(2)