Calc 3 Lecture Notes Section 12.

2 Page 1 of 6

Section 12.2: Limits and Continuity

Big idea: The formal δ -ε definition of a limit must be modified for a function of two variables
to include a disk of values centered on the limiting coordinate pair.

Big skill: You should be able to compute limits of functions of two variables, show when limits
do not exist, and identify regions of continuity for functions of two variables.

Definition 2.1: Formal Definition of Limit for a Function of Two Variables

Let f be defined on the interior of a circle centered at the point (a, b), except possibly at (a, b)
itself. We say that lim f ( x, y ) = L if for every ε > 0 there exists a δ > 0 such that
( x , y ) →( a ,b )

f ( x, y ) − L < ε whenever 0 < ( x − a)

2
+ ( y − b) < δ .
2

Picture:
z

x y

Practice:
1. Show that lim y =b
( x , y ) → ( a ,b )

Corollary results for limits of combinations of functions:

• The limit of a sum or difference is the sum or difference of the limits.
lim ( f ( x, y ) ± g ( x, y ) ) = lim f ( x, y ) ± lim g ( x, y )
( x , y ) → ( a ,b ) ( x , y )→ (a ,b ) (x , y )→ (a ,b )
• The limit of a product is the product of the limits
lim ( f ( x, y ) g ( x, y ) ) =  lim f ( x, y )   lim g ( x, y ) 
( x , y ) →( a ,b )  ( x , y )→ (a ,b )   (x , y )→ (a ,b ) 
• The limit of a quotient is the quotient of the limits (except where the denominator is zero)
 f ( x, y )  ( x , ylim f ( x, y )
) →( a ,b )
• lim   =
( x , y ) → ( a ,b ) g ( x , y )  g ( x, y )
  ( x , ylim
) → ( a ,b )
• The limit of a polynomial always exists and is found simply by substitution.
lim ( Pn ( x, y ) ) = Pn ( a, b )
( x , y ) → ( a ,b )
Calc 3 Lecture Notes Section 12.2 Page 2 of 6

Practice:
2 x 2 y + 3 xy
2. Evaluate lim
( x , y ) →( 2,1) 5 xy 2 + 3 y

Notes on disproving limits:

• For a limit to exist, the function must approach that limit for every possible path of (x, y)
approaching (a, b). Thus, it is usually very hard to prove a limit exists, and easier to show a
limit does not exist.
• So, if a function f(x, y) approaches L1 as (x, y) approaches (a, b) along a path P1 and f(x,
y) approaches L2 ≠ L1 as (x, y) approaches (a, b) along a different path P2, then
lim f ( x, y ) does not exist.
( x , y ) →( a ,b )
• Some simple paths to try are the lines along x = a, y = b, or any other line through the
point.

Practice:
y
3. Show the following limit does not exist: ( x , ylim
) →( 1,0 ) x + y −1
Calc 3 Lecture Notes Section 12.2 Page 3 of 6

xy
4. Show the following limit does not exist: ( x , ylim
) →( 0,0 ) x + y2
2

xy 2
5. Show the following limit does not exist: lim
( x , y ) →( 0,0 ) x2 + y4
Calc 3 Lecture Notes Section 12.2 Page 4 of 6

How can you show a limit does exist? One way is with our old friend the squeeze theorem.

Theorem 2.1 (Squeeze Theorem)

Suppose that f ( x, y ) − L ≤ g ( x, y ) for all (x, y) in the interior of some circle centered at (a, b),
except possibly at (a, b). If lim g ( x, y ) = 0 , then lim f ( x, y ) = L .
( x , y ) → ( a ,b ) ( x , y ) → ( a ,b )

Practice:
x2 y
6. Prove the following limit exists and is equal to zero: lim
( x , y ) →( 0,0 ) x2 + y2

( x − 1) ln ( x )
2

7. Prove the following limit exists and is equal to zero: x , ylim

( ) →( 1,0 ) ( x − 1) 2 + y 2
Calc 3 Lecture Notes Section 12.2 Page 5 of 6

Definition 2.2: Continuity of a Function of Two Variables

Suppose f(x, y) is defined in the interior of a circle centered at the point (a, b). We say that f is
continuous at (a, b) if lim f ( x, y ) = f ( a, b ) . If f(x, y) is not continuous at (a, b), then we
( x , y ) → ( a ,b )
call (a, b) a discontinuity of f.

Practice:
x
8. Find all points where the function is continuous: f ( x, y ) =
x −y
2

y
x

 x2 y
 if ( x, y ) ≠ ( 0, 0 )
f ( x, y ) =  x 2 + y 2
9. Find all points where the function is continuous:  0
 if ( x, y ) = ( 0, 0 )
Calc 3 Lecture Notes Section 12.2 Page 6 of 6

Corollary results for continuity of combinations of functions:

• The sum or difference of continuous functions is continuous.
• The product of continuous functions is continuous.
• The quotient of continuous functions is continuous. (except where the denominator is
zero)
• When discussing the continuity of a composition of functions, one has to be a bit careful:

Theorem 2.2 (Continuity of a Composition of Continuous Functions)

Suppose that f(x, y) is continuous at (a, b), and g(x) is continuous at the point f(a, b). Then
h ( x, y ) = ( g o f ) ( x, y ) = g ( f ( x, y ) ) is continuous at (a, b).

Practice:
10. Determine where f ( x, y ) = ln ( ln ( x + y ) ) is continuous.

Extension of the concepts of limit and continuity to functions of three variables:

Definition 2.3: Formal Definition of Limit for a Function of Three Variables

Let f(x, y, z) be defined on the interior of a circle centered at the point (a, b, c) except possibly at
(a, b, c) itself. We say that lim f ( x, y , z ) = L if for every ε > 0 there exists a δ > 0
( x , y , z ) →( a , b , c )

such that f ( x, y, z ) − L < ε whenever 0 < ( x − a) + ( y − b) + ( z − c) < δ .

2 2 2

Definition 2.4: Continuity of a Function of Three Variables

Suppose f(x, y) is defined in the interior of a sphere centered at the point (a, b, c). We say that f
is continuous at (a, b, c) if lim f ( x, y, z ) = f ( a, b, c ) . If f(x, y, z) is not continuous at (a,
( x , y , z ) →( a , b , c )
b, c), then we call (a, b, c) a discontinuity of f.