Chapter 3: Functions of Several Variables
Section 3.2: Limits and Continuity
Example 3.2.27
Extend f=x4+x2+x y2+y2x2−x2y+y2 to a function gx,y that is continuous at the origin.
Solution
Maple determines the bivariate limit at the origin to be 1.
Context Panel: Assign Function
fx,y=x4+x2+x y2+y2x2−x2y+y2→assign as functionf
Context Panel: Evaluate and Display Inline
Context Panel: Limit (Bivariate)
fx,y = x4+x⁢y2+x2+y2−x2⁢y+x2+y2→bivariate limit1
To see why the bivariate limit at the origin might have the value 1, divide the numerator and denominator of f to put fx,y into the form
1+x4+x y2x2+y21−x2yx2+y2
The rational functions in the numerator and denominator of this form of f both tend to zero as x,y→0,0. Indeed, Maple provides the following bivariate limits, obtained either through the Context Panel, or by application of the limit command with the appropriate syntax.
x4+x y2x2+y2→bivariate limit0
x2yx2+y2→bivariate limit0
limitx4+x y2x2+y2,x=0,y=0 = 0
limitx2yx2+y2,x=0,y=0 = 0
Auxiliary Limit (1)
Auxiliary Limit (2)
Clearly, then, the bivariate limit of f as x,y→0,0 will necessarily be 1, in which case the required extension is
gx,y={fx,yx,y≠0,01x,y=0,0
Analytic justification for Auxiliary Limit (1) is based on the following estimate.
x4+x y2
≤x4+x y2
Inequality 3, Table 3.2.1
≤x2+y22+x2+y2x2+y2
Inequalities 4, 6, and 7, Table 3.2.1
Consequently, x4+x y2x2+y2≤x2+y2+x2+y2, and the limiting value of zero is established.
Analytic justification for Auxiliary Limit (2) is based on the following estimate.
x2y
≤x2 y
≤x2+y2x2+y2
Inequalities 5 and 6, Table 3.2.1
Consequently, x2yx2+y2≤x2+y2, and the limiting value of zero is established.
Indeed, limitfx,y,x=0,y=0 = 1.
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