Continuity of Multivariable Functions

AI Thread Summary
The discussion revolves around the continuity of multivariable functions, specifically questioning whether f(x) = 1 is continuous. It is confirmed that f(x) = 1 is indeed continuous, as the limit approaches 1 regardless of the input. The confusion arises with the function f(x) defined piecewise, which is continuous but has a discontinuous derivative at x = 0, thus not belonging to C^1. The participants clarify that while f(x) can be continuous, its derivative's continuity is what determines its classification in C^N. The conversation highlights the distinction between a function being continuous and its derivatives maintaining continuity.
Chewy0087
Messages
368
Reaction score
0
EDIT: just realized i might've been really stupid;

very simple question which will answer my stupidly long question;

is f(x) = 1 continuous?]

The reason I ask is that my book says;

f(x,y) \in C^{N} in R \Leftrightarrow \frac{\partial ^{n} f}{\partial x^n} , \frac{\partial ^{n} f}{\partial x^{n-1}\partial y}, etc \in C in R.

however you can imagine for f (x, y) = x which IS continuous,

f1(x, y) = 1 , would this be considered continuous, and if not, isn't that at ends with the definition above?
 
Last edited:
Physics news on Phys.org
Of course it's continuous. lim (x1,y1)->(x,y) f(x1,y1)=1. f(x,y)=1. It's easy using any definition of continuity. Look one up!
 
Yes, I thought as much, but why then would;

f(x) = x (for x greater than/equal to 0) / 0 (for x less than 0)

Why then for this function would

<br /> f(x) \notin C^{1}<br />

?

Would it be because there is a jump, a "discontinuity" at 0, where f(x) goes from 1 to 0 instantly?
 
Chewy0087 said:
Yes, I thought as much, but why then would;

f(x) = x (for x greater than/equal to 0) / 0 (for x less than 0)

Why then for this function would

<br /> f(x) \notin C^{1}<br />

?

Would it be because there is a jump, a "discontinuity" at 0, where f(x) goes from 1 to 0 instantly?

Sure. f(x) is continuous. f'(x) is not continuous (I'm assuming you meant to say f'(x)). So it's not in C^1.
 
Hmmm so it's not continuous?

But then sureley it is at ends with the definition posted earlier; namingly

<br /> f(x,y) \in C^{N}<br /> <br /> \Leftrightarrow \frac{\partial ^{n} f}{\partial x^n} , \frac{\partial ^{n} f}{\partial x^{n-1}\partial y}, etc \in C<br />

because df/dx is not continuous, so it is implied that f(x) is not continuous, or is there a flaw in my reasoning? :confused:

edit: and yeah sorry i meant f'(x)
 
sorry I just realized I'm being a major douche...i'm stupid, nevermind
 
I picked up this problem from the Schaum's series book titled "College Mathematics" by Ayres/Schmidt. It is a solved problem in the book. But what surprised me was that the solution to this problem was given in one line without any explanation. I could, therefore, not understand how the given one-line solution was reached. The one-line solution in the book says: The equation is ##x \cos{\omega} +y \sin{\omega} - 5 = 0##, ##\omega## being the parameter. From my side, the only thing I could...
Back
Top