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Limits and Continuity of Functions of several Variables 
 
Institute of Lifelong Learning, University of Delhi                                                      pg. 1 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Lesson: Limits and Continuity of Functions of several 
Variables 
Lesson Developer: Kapil Kumar 
Department/College: Assistant Professor, Department of 
Mathematics, A.R.S.D. College, University of Delhi 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Page 2


Limits and Continuity of Functions of several Variables 
 
Institute of Lifelong Learning, University of Delhi                                                      pg. 1 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Lesson: Limits and Continuity of Functions of several 
Variables 
Lesson Developer: Kapil Kumar 
Department/College: Assistant Professor, Department of 
Mathematics, A.R.S.D. College, University of Delhi 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Limits and Continuity of Functions of several Variables 
 
Institute of Lifelong Learning, University of Delhi                                                      pg. 2 
 
Table of Contents 
 Chapter: Limits and Continuity of Functions of several Variables 
? 1: Learning outcomes 
? 2: Introduction 
? 3: Functions of several variables 
? 4: Limits of functions of several variables 
o 4.1. Non-existence of limit 
o 4.2. Determining the simultaneous limits by changing to 
polar coordinates 
? 5: Algebra of limits 
? 6: Repeated limits or iterative limits 
? 7: Two-path test for non-existence of a limit 
? 8: Continuity at a point 
o 8.1. ?? ? definition of continuity of a function at a point 
? Exercises 
? Summary 
? References 
 
1. Learning outcomes: 
After studying this chapter you should be able to understand the 
? Functions of several variables 
? Limits of functions of several variables 
? Algebra of limits 
? Repeated limits or iterative limits 
? Two-path test for non-existence of a limit 
? Continuity at a point 
 
 
 
 
 
Page 3


Limits and Continuity of Functions of several Variables 
 
Institute of Lifelong Learning, University of Delhi                                                      pg. 1 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Lesson: Limits and Continuity of Functions of several 
Variables 
Lesson Developer: Kapil Kumar 
Department/College: Assistant Professor, Department of 
Mathematics, A.R.S.D. College, University of Delhi 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Limits and Continuity of Functions of several Variables 
 
Institute of Lifelong Learning, University of Delhi                                                      pg. 2 
 
Table of Contents 
 Chapter: Limits and Continuity of Functions of several Variables 
? 1: Learning outcomes 
? 2: Introduction 
? 3: Functions of several variables 
? 4: Limits of functions of several variables 
o 4.1. Non-existence of limit 
o 4.2. Determining the simultaneous limits by changing to 
polar coordinates 
? 5: Algebra of limits 
? 6: Repeated limits or iterative limits 
? 7: Two-path test for non-existence of a limit 
? 8: Continuity at a point 
o 8.1. ?? ? definition of continuity of a function at a point 
? Exercises 
? Summary 
? References 
 
1. Learning outcomes: 
After studying this chapter you should be able to understand the 
? Functions of several variables 
? Limits of functions of several variables 
? Algebra of limits 
? Repeated limits or iterative limits 
? Two-path test for non-existence of a limit 
? Continuity at a point 
 
 
 
 
 
Limits and Continuity of Functions of several Variables 
 
Institute of Lifelong Learning, University of Delhi                                                      pg. 3 
 
2. Introduction: 
In studying a real world phenomenon and applications in geometry, applied 
mathematics, engineering and natural science, a quantity being investigated 
usually depends on two or more independent variables. Therefore we need 
to extend the basic ideas of the calculus of functions of a single variable to 
functions of several variables. In this lesson we will study the limits and 
continuity for multivariable functions. Although the definitions of the limit of 
a function of two or three variables is similar to the definition of the limit of a 
function of a single variable but with a crucial difference. 
3. Functions of Several Variables: 
Real valued functions of several independent real variables are defined in the 
same way as the real valued functions of single variable. The domains of the 
real valued functions of several variables are the sets of ordered pairs 
(triples, quadruples, n-tuples) of real numbers and the ranges are subsets of 
real numbers.  
For example: 1. Consider the function 
2
V r h ? ? , here V denoted the volume 
of he cylinder, r radius and h height of the cylinder.  Here V depends on r 
and h. Thus, r and h are called the independent variables and V is called 
dependent variable. 
2. The relation 
22
1 Z x y ? ? ? , between x, y and z determines a value of z 
corresponding to every pair of numbers x, y which are such that 
22
1 xy ?? . 
The region determined by the point (x, y) is called the domain of the point 
(x, y). 
3. The relation 
22
xy
Ze
?
? determines a function of two variables (x, y); the 
domain of the function being the whole plane i.e., the set of all the ordered 
pairs of real numbers. 
Definition 1: A variable Z is said to be a function of two variables x and y, 
denoted by ( , ) Z f x y ? , if to each pair of values of x and y (over same domain 
D) there corresponds a definite value of Z. Here x and y are called the 
independent variables and Z is called the dependent variable. 
Definition 2: Let D is a set of n-tupple of real numbers 
12
( , , ..., )
n
x x x . A real-
valued function f on D is a rule that assign a unique real number 
Page 4


Limits and Continuity of Functions of several Variables 
 
Institute of Lifelong Learning, University of Delhi                                                      pg. 1 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Lesson: Limits and Continuity of Functions of several 
Variables 
Lesson Developer: Kapil Kumar 
Department/College: Assistant Professor, Department of 
Mathematics, A.R.S.D. College, University of Delhi 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Limits and Continuity of Functions of several Variables 
 
Institute of Lifelong Learning, University of Delhi                                                      pg. 2 
 
Table of Contents 
 Chapter: Limits and Continuity of Functions of several Variables 
? 1: Learning outcomes 
? 2: Introduction 
? 3: Functions of several variables 
? 4: Limits of functions of several variables 
o 4.1. Non-existence of limit 
o 4.2. Determining the simultaneous limits by changing to 
polar coordinates 
? 5: Algebra of limits 
? 6: Repeated limits or iterative limits 
? 7: Two-path test for non-existence of a limit 
? 8: Continuity at a point 
o 8.1. ?? ? definition of continuity of a function at a point 
? Exercises 
? Summary 
? References 
 
1. Learning outcomes: 
After studying this chapter you should be able to understand the 
? Functions of several variables 
? Limits of functions of several variables 
? Algebra of limits 
? Repeated limits or iterative limits 
? Two-path test for non-existence of a limit 
? Continuity at a point 
 
 
 
 
 
Limits and Continuity of Functions of several Variables 
 
Institute of Lifelong Learning, University of Delhi                                                      pg. 3 
 
2. Introduction: 
In studying a real world phenomenon and applications in geometry, applied 
mathematics, engineering and natural science, a quantity being investigated 
usually depends on two or more independent variables. Therefore we need 
to extend the basic ideas of the calculus of functions of a single variable to 
functions of several variables. In this lesson we will study the limits and 
continuity for multivariable functions. Although the definitions of the limit of 
a function of two or three variables is similar to the definition of the limit of a 
function of a single variable but with a crucial difference. 
3. Functions of Several Variables: 
Real valued functions of several independent real variables are defined in the 
same way as the real valued functions of single variable. The domains of the 
real valued functions of several variables are the sets of ordered pairs 
(triples, quadruples, n-tuples) of real numbers and the ranges are subsets of 
real numbers.  
For example: 1. Consider the function 
2
V r h ? ? , here V denoted the volume 
of he cylinder, r radius and h height of the cylinder.  Here V depends on r 
and h. Thus, r and h are called the independent variables and V is called 
dependent variable. 
2. The relation 
22
1 Z x y ? ? ? , between x, y and z determines a value of z 
corresponding to every pair of numbers x, y which are such that 
22
1 xy ?? . 
The region determined by the point (x, y) is called the domain of the point 
(x, y). 
3. The relation 
22
xy
Ze
?
? determines a function of two variables (x, y); the 
domain of the function being the whole plane i.e., the set of all the ordered 
pairs of real numbers. 
Definition 1: A variable Z is said to be a function of two variables x and y, 
denoted by ( , ) Z f x y ? , if to each pair of values of x and y (over same domain 
D) there corresponds a definite value of Z. Here x and y are called the 
independent variables and Z is called the dependent variable. 
Definition 2: Let D is a set of n-tupple of real numbers 
12
( , , ..., )
n
x x x . A real-
valued function f on D is a rule that assign a unique real number 
Limits and Continuity of Functions of several Variables 
 
Institute of Lifelong Learning, University of Delhi                                                      pg. 4 
 
 
12
( , , ..., )
n
Z f x x x ? 
To each element in D. The set D is called the domain and the set of z-values 
taken on by f is the function’s range. The 
12
, , ...,
n
x x x are called independent 
variable and the Z is called a function of n independent variables. 
4. Limits:  
 The definition of the limit of a function of two or three variables is 
similar to the definition of the limit of a function of a single variable but with 
a crucial difference. 
A function ( , ) f x y is said to tend to a limit  as a point ( , ) xy tends to the 
point 
00
( , ) xy if for every arbitrarily small positive number ? , there exists a 
positive number 0 ? ? such that 
 ( , ) f x y ? ?? whenever   
0
0 xx ? ? ? ? , 
0
0 yy ? ? ? ? 
Or ? ? ? ?
22
00
0 x x y y ? ? ? ? ? ? 
Symbolically, the limit of the function ( , ) f x y  at the point 
00
( , ) xy is denoted 
by  
 
00
( , ) ( , )
lim ( , )
x y x y
f x y
?
? 
Or  
0
0
lim ( , )
xx
yy
f x y
?
?
? 
Where  is called the limit (the double limit or the simultaneous limit) of f 
when ( , ) xy tends to 
00
( , ) xy simultaneously. 
Value Addition: Note 
1. The definition of limit says that the distance between ( , ) and f x y 
becomes arbitrarily small whenever the distance from ( , ) xy to 
00
( , ) xy is 
made sufficiently small (but not 0). 
2. The simultaneous limit postulates that by whatever path the point is 
approached, the function f attains the same limit. 
3. In general the determination whether a simultaneous limit exists or not is 
a difficult matter but very often a simple consideration enables us to show 
that the limit does not exist. 
Page 5


Limits and Continuity of Functions of several Variables 
 
Institute of Lifelong Learning, University of Delhi                                                      pg. 1 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Lesson: Limits and Continuity of Functions of several 
Variables 
Lesson Developer: Kapil Kumar 
Department/College: Assistant Professor, Department of 
Mathematics, A.R.S.D. College, University of Delhi 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Limits and Continuity of Functions of several Variables 
 
Institute of Lifelong Learning, University of Delhi                                                      pg. 2 
 
Table of Contents 
 Chapter: Limits and Continuity of Functions of several Variables 
? 1: Learning outcomes 
? 2: Introduction 
? 3: Functions of several variables 
? 4: Limits of functions of several variables 
o 4.1. Non-existence of limit 
o 4.2. Determining the simultaneous limits by changing to 
polar coordinates 
? 5: Algebra of limits 
? 6: Repeated limits or iterative limits 
? 7: Two-path test for non-existence of a limit 
? 8: Continuity at a point 
o 8.1. ?? ? definition of continuity of a function at a point 
? Exercises 
? Summary 
? References 
 
1. Learning outcomes: 
After studying this chapter you should be able to understand the 
? Functions of several variables 
? Limits of functions of several variables 
? Algebra of limits 
? Repeated limits or iterative limits 
? Two-path test for non-existence of a limit 
? Continuity at a point 
 
 
 
 
 
Limits and Continuity of Functions of several Variables 
 
Institute of Lifelong Learning, University of Delhi                                                      pg. 3 
 
2. Introduction: 
In studying a real world phenomenon and applications in geometry, applied 
mathematics, engineering and natural science, a quantity being investigated 
usually depends on two or more independent variables. Therefore we need 
to extend the basic ideas of the calculus of functions of a single variable to 
functions of several variables. In this lesson we will study the limits and 
continuity for multivariable functions. Although the definitions of the limit of 
a function of two or three variables is similar to the definition of the limit of a 
function of a single variable but with a crucial difference. 
3. Functions of Several Variables: 
Real valued functions of several independent real variables are defined in the 
same way as the real valued functions of single variable. The domains of the 
real valued functions of several variables are the sets of ordered pairs 
(triples, quadruples, n-tuples) of real numbers and the ranges are subsets of 
real numbers.  
For example: 1. Consider the function 
2
V r h ? ? , here V denoted the volume 
of he cylinder, r radius and h height of the cylinder.  Here V depends on r 
and h. Thus, r and h are called the independent variables and V is called 
dependent variable. 
2. The relation 
22
1 Z x y ? ? ? , between x, y and z determines a value of z 
corresponding to every pair of numbers x, y which are such that 
22
1 xy ?? . 
The region determined by the point (x, y) is called the domain of the point 
(x, y). 
3. The relation 
22
xy
Ze
?
? determines a function of two variables (x, y); the 
domain of the function being the whole plane i.e., the set of all the ordered 
pairs of real numbers. 
Definition 1: A variable Z is said to be a function of two variables x and y, 
denoted by ( , ) Z f x y ? , if to each pair of values of x and y (over same domain 
D) there corresponds a definite value of Z. Here x and y are called the 
independent variables and Z is called the dependent variable. 
Definition 2: Let D is a set of n-tupple of real numbers 
12
( , , ..., )
n
x x x . A real-
valued function f on D is a rule that assign a unique real number 
Limits and Continuity of Functions of several Variables 
 
Institute of Lifelong Learning, University of Delhi                                                      pg. 4 
 
 
12
( , , ..., )
n
Z f x x x ? 
To each element in D. The set D is called the domain and the set of z-values 
taken on by f is the function’s range. The 
12
, , ...,
n
x x x are called independent 
variable and the Z is called a function of n independent variables. 
4. Limits:  
 The definition of the limit of a function of two or three variables is 
similar to the definition of the limit of a function of a single variable but with 
a crucial difference. 
A function ( , ) f x y is said to tend to a limit  as a point ( , ) xy tends to the 
point 
00
( , ) xy if for every arbitrarily small positive number ? , there exists a 
positive number 0 ? ? such that 
 ( , ) f x y ? ?? whenever   
0
0 xx ? ? ? ? , 
0
0 yy ? ? ? ? 
Or ? ? ? ?
22
00
0 x x y y ? ? ? ? ? ? 
Symbolically, the limit of the function ( , ) f x y  at the point 
00
( , ) xy is denoted 
by  
 
00
( , ) ( , )
lim ( , )
x y x y
f x y
?
? 
Or  
0
0
lim ( , )
xx
yy
f x y
?
?
? 
Where  is called the limit (the double limit or the simultaneous limit) of f 
when ( , ) xy tends to 
00
( , ) xy simultaneously. 
Value Addition: Note 
1. The definition of limit says that the distance between ( , ) and f x y 
becomes arbitrarily small whenever the distance from ( , ) xy to 
00
( , ) xy is 
made sufficiently small (but not 0). 
2. The simultaneous limit postulates that by whatever path the point is 
approached, the function f attains the same limit. 
3. In general the determination whether a simultaneous limit exists or not is 
a difficult matter but very often a simple consideration enables us to show 
that the limit does not exist. 
Limits and Continuity of Functions of several Variables 
 
Institute of Lifelong Learning, University of Delhi                                                      pg. 5 
 
4. 
0 0 0 0
00
( , ) ( , )
lim ( , ) lim ( , ) lim ( , )
x y x y x x y y
f x y f x y f x y
? ? ?
? ? ? ? 
 
4.1. Non-Existence of Limit:  
From the simultaneous limit postulates it is amply clear that if  
00
( , ) ( , )
lim ( , )
x y x y
f x y
?
? and if () yx ? ? is any function such that 
00
( ) when x y x x ???
. Then 
? ?
0
lim , ( )
xx
f x x ?
?
, must exist and be equal to . Thus, if we can find two 
functions 
12
( ), ( ) xx ?? such that the limit of ? ?
1
, ( ) f x x ? and ? ?
2
, ( ) f x x ? are 
different, then the simultaneous limit in question does not exist. 
Example 1: For the function 
? ?
22
,
xy
f x y
xy
?
?
. Find the limit when 
( , ) (0, 0) xy ? .  
Solution: Let 
1
y mx ? , then 
 
1
( , ) (0, 0) 0
lim ( , ) lim ( , )
x y x
f x y f x mx
??
? 
     
2
1
2 2 2
0
1
1
2
0
1
1
2
1
lim
lim
1
1
x
x
mx
x m x
m
m
m
m
?
?
?
?
?
?
?
?
 
Now, if we take 
2
y m x ? , then 
 
2
( , ) (0, 0) 0
lim ( , ) lim ( , )
x y x
f x y f x m x
??
? 
     
2
2
2 2 2
0
2
lim
x
mx
x m x
?
?
?
 
   
2
2
0
2
lim
1
x
m
m
?
?
?
 
   
2
2
2
1
m
m
?
?
 
Read More
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FAQs on Lecture 8 - Limits and Continuity of Functions of several Variables - Calculus - Engineering Mathematics

1. What is the definition of a limit of a function of several variables?
Ans. The limit of a function of several variables is defined as the value that the function approaches as the independent variables approach a certain point in the domain. It can be denoted as: lim (x, y) → (a, b) f(x, y) = L, where (a, b) is the point in the domain and L is the limit value.
2. How do you determine if a limit of a function of several variables exists?
Ans. To determine if a limit of a function of several variables exists, we need to check if the function approaches the same value regardless of the direction of approach. This can be done by evaluating the limit along different paths approaching the point. If the limit values along all paths are the same, then the limit exists. However, if the limit values differ along different paths, then the limit does not exist.
3. What are the conditions for a function of several variables to be continuous at a point?
Ans. A function of several variables is continuous at a point (a, b) if the following conditions are satisfied: - The function is defined at (a, b). - The limit of the function as (x, y) approaches (a, b) exists. - The limit value is equal to the value of the function at (a, b). If all these conditions are met, then the function is continuous at the given point.
4. How can we prove the continuity of a function of several variables?
Ans. To prove the continuity of a function of several variables at a point (a, b), we need to show that the function satisfies the conditions for continuity. This can be done by evaluating the limit of the function as (x, y) approaches (a, b) and comparing it with the value of the function at (a, b). If the limit value is equal to the function value, then the function is continuous at the point. Additionally, we can also use the epsilon-delta definition of continuity to provide a formal proof.
5. Can a function of several variables be continuous at a point but not differentiable?
Ans. Yes, a function of several variables can be continuous at a point but not differentiable. Continuity only requires the function to have a limit at the point and the limit value to be equal to the function value. On the other hand, differentiability requires the existence of partial derivatives of the function at the point. Therefore, it is possible for a function to be continuous but fail to have partial derivatives, making it not differentiable at that point.
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