Functions of Several

15
Variables
So far attention has mainly been directed to functions of a single independent variable and the annb
of the differential calculus to such functions has been considered. Iin this chapter, we shall be r
concerned with the application of differential calculus to functions of more than one variahis
characteristic properties of a function of n independent variables may usually be understood by t
study of a function of two or three variables and this restriction of two or three variables will begeneralthe
maintained. This restriction has the considerable advantage of simplitying the formulae and of reducin
the mechanical labour. g

1 EXPLICIT AND IMPLICIT FUNCTIONS

If we consider a set of n independent variables x, y, z, .., and one
dependent variable u, the equation
u =f(x, y, z,.., )
(1)
denotes the functional relation. In this if x, y1, Z, the
case ., '1, are n arbitrarily assigned values of the
independent variables, the corresponding values of the dependent variableu are determined by the
function relation.
The function represented by equation (1) is an
explicit function but where several variables are
concernedit is rarely possible to obtain an equation
expressing one of the variables explicitly in terms of
the others. Thus most of the functions of more than one variable
are given a functional relation
are implicit functions, that is to say we

p(x, y, z,., t) =0
.(2)
connecting the n variables x, y, Z, 1, and is not in general
explicit function which expresses one of these variables say x,possible
.,
to solve this equation to find an
in terms of the other n-1 variables.
In this chapter we shall be
mainly concerned with the explicit functions.
1.1 An Explicit Function of Two Variables
Ifx, y are two
independent variables and a variable
functional relation
z depends for its values on the values of X, y uy*

Z fx, y)
then we say z is
function of x, y. The ordered pair of
a

pairs of numbers (x, y) is said to be the domain numbers (x, y) is called a point and the te
of the
(or region) of definition of the function.ageieE
When the domain of definition is bounded
for all points within and on the curve C; but open by aorclosed
unclosed
curvewhen
C, it the function is defined for po
is said to be closed if is
fined
f den
within but not on the curve C.
 Several Variables
Functions of 483
2 The Neighbourhood of a Point
The
e t of values . y, other than a, b that satisfy the conditions

-a8.|-b<
where 8 is an arbitrarily small positive number, is said to farm a neighbourhood of the point (a, b).
a neighbourhood
is the square
Thus
(a-8, a + 8; b -

5,b + 8)
here takes any value trom a-o to a +ð except a, and y from b -8 to b + 8 except b.

This is not the

only way of specifying a neighbourhood of a
point. There can be many other, thougn
uivalent ways; for example points
the inside the circle x + y= 8
may be taken as a neighbourhood
of the point (0, 0).
13 Limit Point
A point (. n) is called a limit point or a point of condensation of a set of points S, if for every
neighbourhood of (. n) contains an infinite number of points of S. The limit point itself may or may not
he a point of the set. For example, the point (0, 0) is a limit point of the set {(l/m. l/n): m, nE
N}
1.4 The Limit of a Function
A functionf is said to tend to a limit l as a point (x, y) tends to the point (a, b) if for every arbitrarily
small positive number E, there corresponds a positive number 6, such that

fx, y) -l|<e,
for every point (x, y), [different from (a, b)] which satisfies
X-al< 8.|y -b|< d8
In other words, a function f tends to a limit l, when (x, y) tends to (a, b) iffor every positive number
E, there corresponds a neighbourhood N of (a, b) such that

fx, y)-!|<e,
Jor every point (x, y) other than (a, b) of the neighbourhood N.
Symbolically we then write
lim f(r, y) =l.
(x, y)>(a, b)
,

s the limit (the double limit or the simultaneous limit) of f whenx, y tend toa &b simultaneously.

Remark: The above definition implies that there must be no assumption of any relation between the independent
ables as they tend to their respective limits.
For instance take f(x, y) where

fx, y) y
and find the limit when (x, y) (0, 0).
484 Mathemattcal Anak
while putting y ICads to a im
weput y m,x and let x0, we get the limit to be equat +m
leas eo
rt Thus, we are
vice-versa led to
1m arly letting - 0 , while y remains constant or
first alongi
the point (0, 0) along diferent paths,
lines
eroneous results. Geometrically speaking when we approach
coordinate axes, the
function reaches differe
erent limits
then along lines parallel to the attains the same h e
approached, the tunctuon f
d

the point is In
simultaneous limit postulates
generalthe determination
that by whatever path
whether a simultaneous limit exists or ne
a difficult matter but very often a simnla

consideration enables us to show that the limit does not exist.

It may however be noted that

1 > lim f(x, b)

= l =
lim f(a, y)
lim fx, y)
=

a, b}

clear that it lim f(x, y) =l and if

NOn-eXIstence of limit. The above remark makes it amply ( , ¥ } ( a , b)

x a, then lim J\T, O(X)) must exist and

b, when
any function such that o(x)
->
O X ) 1s

should be equal to l.
such that the limits of f(x. 9(x) and
Thus. if we can find two functions e(x) and o(x)
does not exrist.
J(x, 0,(X)) are different, then he simultaneous limit in question

Example I(a). Let

if x+y*z0

fa, y) r + =

0, if x+ y = 0

If the origin along any axis, f(x, y) = 0.

we approach
If (0, 0) along any line y =
mr, then
we approach
mx
(X, y)= f(x, Lx) = . 0 , as x >00
+m +m
So any straight line approach gives,

im f(x, y) =0
, { 0 , 0}

But putting y = ma.

lim x , y} lim f(x, mx") = --

+m
which is different for the different m selected.

Hence lim , y) does not exist.

Thus, the function possesses no imit at the origin, but a straight line approach gives the limit z
 unctions ofSeveral Variables
P u n
485
i (h). Show that
Example

lim 2xy
(A, y)0,0) + does not exist.
f we put x= my" and let y 0, we get

lim 2my 2m
y-0 (m+1)y" 1+m

is different for different values of m.

which
Hence, the limit does not exist.

Remark: It is pointed out earlier also that the determination of a simultaneous limit is a difficult matter but a simple
consideration, as shown above, very often, enables us to show that the limit does not exist. We now show that
sometimes it is possible to determine the simultaneous limit by changing to polars.

Example 2 (a). Show that

lim
(x, y)>{0, 0)

Put x = r cos6, y = r sin6

=sine cos6 cos26

sin 4 0 s - + E .

xl<2e =6. |yl< w2e =6

Thus for f >0,36 >0 such that

xy- - 0<e, when <d, y<o

lim
4, 0, 0) +y
486 Mathematical Analysi
Example 2 (b). Show that

lim
(x, y)->(0, 0)
*y+-=o
Since x, y are small

VAy+1-1_d+ry-1_2

+y that
example,
show, as in the above
NOW
Changing to polars, we can

lim 5=0
(x. y)>(0,0) x+ y

Hence the required result.

Ex. 1. Show that

lim 0) x+ y2 = 0,
(i) lim (X, y)(0,
(x. y)>(0,0)|X

(iv) lim (1/xy) sin (ry + ay) =0

(iii) lim (x+ y) =0, (x, y)>(0, 0)
(x, y)>(0, 0)

y)-> (0, 0) does not exist in each case

Ex. 2. Show that the limit, when (a,

2xy y
(i) lim 2 (i) lim

y Av) lim
(ii) lim +(- y} x y
[Hint: (iv) Put y =X - mr'].

Ex. 3. Show that the limit, when (x, y) (0, 0) exist in each case.

(i) lim (i) lim 2

+y

(ii) lim (iv) lim

1.5 Algebra of Limits

Iffand g are two functions with a domain N, we define four functions, f t e. fe. flg on N by sL

(f+8)(x, y) = f(x, y)+ 8(x, y)

 ties Severai Variables 487
f - 8 ) x, y) = f ( . y) - g(x, y)

f 8 (x, y) = f({x. y) 8(x, y)

(fl8) (r, y) = f(x, y)/g(x, y), if g(x, y) 2 0, for (x, y) e N.

shrrem . f f, g be hvo junctions defined on some neighbourhood of a point (a, b) such that
lim g(x, y) = m, when (x, y) = (a, b), then
y) =1, lin
imf(r,
)lim(f +8) = limf + limg =l+ m
) lim(f 8) limf- limg = =
1 -

(il) lim(f 8)= limf limg =l m

i =+, provided m #0, when (x. y)> (a, b)

8 limg m

The proofs are exactly similar to those of the corresponding theorems for a single variable.

Example 3 (a). Prove that

+ 2 y ) =5
(x. y)>(1, 2)

Method 1. (Using definition of limit). We have to show that for any e> 0, we can find ð>0,
such that

+2y-5|<e, when x-1|<8,|y-2 <8

I f x - 1 | < 8 , and | y - 2 | < 8 ,ther

1-6 < x <1+8 and 2 -8< y <2+0, excluding x= 1, y =2

Thus
1-26 +8<r<1+28 +82
and

4 26<2y<4+ 28
Adding
5-48 +8< x*+ 2y < 5 + 48 +82

-48 +8< x+ 2y -

5 <48 + 8
Now if 8 S1,
it follows that
-58 <x+ 2y - 5 < 58
.e
+2y-5| < 58 =
e

so that =
El5 or d = 1 whichever is smaller).
 488 Mathematicul Anilyn.
r+2y-5<rwhen| 16.|y 2
(2y)5
lim

Method 2. Using above theoren on algebru of inils,

im
im 2y-1$4-5
lim
(x, y)-1, 2)
(r+
2y) (, Y},7)

Example 3 (b). Show that

sin(y-2)
(i) lim
xsin (x + y)0, (i)
(x, y)>(0, 0) +y
h
18
sin( 0.1-9
(i) lim XSin (x+ y) lim
(x, y)-0, 0) x+y

sin (xy 2)= lim- sin

wherel =1y-2 =liim -t
(il) lim
(z, y 2 , 1) tan "(3ry - 6) tann31

Ex. 1. Show that lim tan (ylx). does not ezist.

Hint: Limit from the leftis -and that froan the right

Ex. 2. Show, by using the definition that

in3r =6
Ex. 3. Prove that

() limsin=
2. i)

=0, z>0. y

1.6 Repeated Limits

 hens ef
Several ables 489

lim lim f(x. y) =

.that is a repeated limit of as y -> b, x a .

change the order of taking the limits, we get the other repeated limit

lim lim f (x. y) = i (say)

X 4, and then y -b.

hen first
These two iimits may or may not be equal

tne
I n case the simultaneous limit exists, these two
repeated limits if they exist are necessarily equal but
ere is not true. Howeverifthe repeated limits are not equal, the simultaneous limit cannot exist.
convers

(i) Let
Example 4.

f, ) +then
lim lim f(x, y) = lim (0) = 0,

lim lim f(x, y) =

0.

simultaneous limit does not exist which may be

Thus, the repeated limits exist and are equal. But the
mx.
by puttung y
=
seen

i) Let

fa. y)-

lim lim f (x, y) = lim

lim f (x, y) lim

=

lim
y+0 > 0 -1+y
simultaneous limit cannot
limits exist but are unequal, consequently the
Thus, the two repeated
mx.
by putting y
=

exist, which may be verified

limits do not, where
Show that the limit exists at the origin but the repeated
EXample 5.
*0
n y sin
fx, y) = -

y=0
0,
do
exist and therefore lim im f{, Y); lim lim f(x, y)
y), lim f(x, y) do
not
Here lim f(x,
not exist.
490
Mathematical talysis
Again
y'"<e,
r sin+ysin <xl+|y|$201*+
if

or

6.pl<-6
Thus for E>0,38 >0 such that

+ysin<e, when |x|<8, |y|<

lim
(, y)>(0, 0)
*sin+ysin |=0.
Example 6. Show that the repeated limits exist at the origin and are equal but the simultaneous lim
does not exist, where

1 , if xy#0
fx, y)={o. if y =0
Here

_1, if x#0
lim fx, y)10,
y0 if x =0
lim ylim
0
f(x, y) =1

Similarly.
lim lim f(x, y) = 1 |
y 0 x>0

Hence, the repeated limits exist and are equal.

Again, since there are points arbitrarily near (0, 0) at which fis equal to 0 and points arbitrarily near
(0, 0) at which fis equal to 1, therefore, there is an e > 0, such that

|S(a, y) - f(0, 0) =|S(x. y)|& e,

for all points in any neighbourhood of (0, 0).

Hence, lim f(x, y) does not exist.

(x, y)>(0, 0)
 Variables 491
ctions of Several

Ex.
.Showtthat lim J(X, y) and lim lim f(x, y) exist, but lim lim f(x, y) does not, wnerc
(, y)->(0, 0)
y-0 0

y+x sin if y0
f(x, y) =
0 ,if y =0.
2Show that lim lim f(, y) exists, but the other repeated limit and the double limit do notexist
x0 y0

when
origin,
at the

fx, y) =
Sin (l/x) +xy/(r+ y'), x+0

X=0.
F3. Show that the repeated limits exist but the double limit does not when (x, y)> (0, 0):

f a y)= X+y (ii) f(x, y) = -

+y- x'y

+ -y
2 Xy
(Gl) fx, y)=-y (iv) fa, y) =
{x*+
x=y

Ex. 4. Show that the limit and the repeated limits exist when (x, y) - (0, 0):

(x, y) = (0, 0).

0.
2 CONTINUITY
point (a, b) of its domain of definition, if
A function fis said to be continuous at
a

lim fx, y) =f(a, b)

(x, y)>{a,b)

continuous at a point (a, b) of its domain of definition if for

In other words, A functionfis said to be
such that
t , there exists a neighbourhood N of (a, b)
for all (x, y)E N
fx, y)- fla, b)|
<e,

a point (a, b) requires

that besides (a, b), fis defined in a cetain
The definition of continuity of a function fat
YOTE exists and equals the value fa, b).
limit offwhen (x, y)(a, b)
gnbourhood b) and moreover the
of(a, discontinuous there at.
A function which is not continuous
at a point is said to be
 492 Mathematical Analysi
of more than one variable is continto
A to be particuiarly noticed is
that if a function at 2
Remark: point
is continuous at that point when considered as a
function of a single
variable. 1o be more specific
fic if a func poim,
áon f sf twoit
b) is a continuous
function
of x at x = a and
fa,
y) that of
vanables x, y is continuous at (a, b) then f(x,
The converse however is not true, ie., a function
may be a
contnuoUs
Tunction of one
vaniable when a yay=b.
e shers
varnabies.
continuous function of all the
remain constant and yet not be a

For instance, consider a function f. where

-. (x, y) # (0, 0)
Sa. y) = { + y
at (0. 0)
0.
does not exist. But
The function is not continuous at (0, 0) for lim S(x, y)
(, y)+{0, 0

lim f(0, y) =0 =f(0, 0)

lim f(x, 0) = 0 =
f(0. 0), and 0
x0
So thatf is continuous at (0, 0), when considered as a function of a single variable x or that of y.
the same.
is said to be continuous in a region ifit is continuous at evern point of
AsJunction
A in limits, it can be easily proved that the sum, difference. product and quotient (provided the denominator does

not vanish) of two continuous functions are also continuous.

The theorems on continuity for functions of a single variable can be easily extended to functions of several
variables; the proofs for some of them, except for verbal changes, are the same while for others the method is not quite
the same. However, within the scope of the present work, it is not possible to discuss all of them here.

Kample 7. Investigate the continuity at (0, 0) of

( x , y) * (0, 0)
fa, y) ={+ y2
(x. y) = (0, 0)
0,
Since lim f(x, y) does not exist, therefore the function is not continuous at (0, 0).
(, y)>(0, 0)

Example 8. Investigate for continuity at (1, 2)

fx, y) = {
+2y. (x, y) * (1, 2)
x, y) = (1.2)

Here

lim fx, y) = 5 * f(l, 2).

(, y)>(1, 2)

Hence, the function is not continuous at (1, 2).

The point (1, 2) is a point of discontinuity of the function.
However, if the function has the value 5 at (1, 2), it was then continuous at the point.

Remark: If, as in the above example, it is possible toso redefine the value of the function at a point of discontinuity
thatthe new function is continuous, we say that the point is a removable discontinuity of the original function.
Eiunctions of Several Variables 493
9, Show hat the function
Eámple

, (x, y) # (0, 0)
fx, y) =

x+ y
0 (, y) = (0, 0)
continuous at the origin.
is
Let x =r cosG, y =r sine.

xy =r|cos
siner= yr+ y <E,
+ y
if

or, if

Thus

y
E , when|x< l

lim xy = 0
(x. y)>{0, 0) ,

f a , y) = f0, 0)
lim
(, y)>{0,0)

Hence, fis continuous at (0, 0).

EXERCISE
1. Show that the following functions are discontinuous at the origin:

G, y) * (0, 0)
(9 a , y) =+
0. (x, y) = (0, 0)

(, y) * (0, 0), f0, 0) =0

)
unf
(i) y) = (y) ( x , y) * (0, 0), f(0, 0) =0
fx. y)
+y)