Chapter 11: Problem 37
Prove that if \(f\) is a function of two variables that is differentiable at \((a, b),\) then \(f\) is continuous at \((a, b) .\) Hint: Show that $$ \lim _{(\Delta r, \Delta y) \rightarrow(0,0)} f(a+\Delta x, b+\Delta y)=f(a, b) $$
Short Answer
Expert verified
Differentiability implies continuity at a point, thus \( f \) is continuous at \((a,b)\).
Step by step solution
01
Understand the Definition of Differentiability
A function of two variables, \( f(x, y) \), is differentiable at \((a, b)\) if there exist constants \( A \) and \( B \) and a function \( \epsilon(h, k) \) such that \( \epsilon(h, k) \to 0 \) as \( (h, k) \to (0, 0) \), and\[f(a+h, b+k) = f(a, b) + Ah + Bk + \epsilon(h, k) \sqrt{h^2 + k^2}.\]
02
Express Continuity Requirement
A function \( f(x, y) \) is continuous at \((a, b)\) if \[\lim _{(\Delta x, \Delta y) \rightarrow(0,0)} f(a+\Delta x, b+\Delta y) = f(a, b).\]
03
Rewrite the Limit in Terms of Differentiability
Based on differentiability, we have\[f(a + \Delta x, b + \Delta y) = f(a, b) + A\Delta x + B\Delta y + \epsilon(\Delta x, \Delta y)\sqrt{(\Delta x)^2 + (\Delta y)^2}.\]
04
Show the Limit of Additional Terms Goes to Zero
The terms \( A\Delta x \), \( B\Delta y \), and \( \epsilon(\Delta x, \Delta y)\sqrt{(\Delta x)^2 + (\Delta y)^2} \) must go to zero as \( (\Delta x, \Delta y) \to (0,0) \) due to * \( A\Delta x + B\Delta y \) tends to zero since \(\Delta x\) and \(\Delta y\) go to zero. * \( \epsilon(\Delta x, \Delta y)\sqrt{(\Delta x)^2 + (\Delta y)^2} \to 0 \) as \( (\Delta x, \Delta y) \to (0,0) \).
05
Establish the Continuity of the Function
Thus we see:\[\lim_{(\Delta x, \Delta y) \to (0, 0)} [f(a + \Delta x, b + \Delta y) - f(a, b)] = 0\]This implies \[\lim_{(\Delta x, \Delta y) \to (0,0)} f(a + \Delta x, b + \Delta y) = f(a, b).\]Thus, by the definition of continuity, \( f \) is continuous at \((a, b)\).
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Key Concepts
These are the key concepts you need to understand to accurately answer the question.
Differentiability in Multi-variable Functions
In multivariable calculus, differentiability extends our understanding of how functions change. A function of two variables, say \( f(x, y) \), is differentiable at a point \((a, b)\) if it can be well-approximated by a linear function at this point. This means that small changes in \(x\) and \(y\) can be understood from the linear approximation:
- The function must be expressible in the form: \[ f(a+h, b+k) = f(a, b) + Ah + Bk + \epsilon(h, k) \sqrt{h^2 + k^2} \]
- Here, \(A\) and \(B\) are constants that are akin to partial derivatives \(\frac{\partial f}{\partial x}\) and \(\frac{\partial f}{\partial y}\) at \((a, b)\).
- The term \(\epsilon(h, k)\) goes to zero as the point \((h, k)\) approaches \((0, 0)\), ensuring that \(f(x, y)\) becomes a good linear approximation when close to \((a, b)\).
Understanding Two-variable Functions
Functions of two variables are mappings from the plane to the real numbers, expressed as \( f(x, y) \). These functions can represent surfaces in a three-dimensional space.
- They require both an \(x\) and a \(y\) coordinate, representing positions in a rectangular plane, and they output a single value \(z = f(x, y)\).
- This value can be visualized as the height of a surface above the \((x, y)\) plane.
- Common examples include functions such as \( f(x, y) = x^2 + y^2 \), which would produce a parabolic surface.
Limits and Continuity in Two-variable Functions
Continuity in multivariable functions means that small changes in the input variables \(x\) and \(y\) only cause small changes in the output value \(f(x, y)\). For a function \( f(x, y) \) to be continuous at a point \((a, b)\), it must satisfy the condition:
- \[ \lim_{(\Delta x, \Delta y) \to (0,0)} f(a+\Delta x, b+\Delta y) = f(a, b) \]
- This asserts that as the values of \(\Delta x\) and \(\Delta y\) tend to zero, the function value approaches \( f(a, b) \).
- This lack of sudden jumps or holes in the output makes the function continuous at \((a, b)\).