# Homework Help: Epsilon-Delta Proof of Limit in R2

1. Apr 5, 2012

### ChemEng1

1. The problem statement, all variables and given/known data
Examine the limit behavior on (ℝ2, 2-norm) for f(λ,μ)=$\frac{λμ}{|λ|+|μ|}$ defined on ℝ2\{(0,0)} at (λ,μ)=(0,0).

I think the limit of f(λ,μ) at (0,0) is (0,0). I have tried multiple paths to (0,0) that seem to indicate this. (λ=μ, λ=μ2, et al.)

However, I am lost trying to develop a rigorous ε, δ proof for this. Any help would be appreciated.

2. Relevant equations
Definition of Limit: Given metric spaces (X,d) and (Y,d') a mapping T:X→Y and a cluster point x0 of X, we say that T has a limit as x approaches x0 and that limit is y0 if given ε>0, there exists δ>0 such that d'(Tx,y0)<ε when 0<d(x,x0)<δ.

3. The attempt at a solution
Step 1. Show that (λ,μ)=(0,0) is a cluster point of ℝ2\{(0,0)}.
Let A={ℝ2\{(0,0)}). Consider sequence {an}={($\frac{1}{n},\frac{1}{n}$)}. Observe (0,0) is not an element of {an}. Let a=(0,0). d(an,a)=$\sqrt{\left(\frac{1}{n}-0\right)^{2}+\left(\frac{1}{n}-0\right)^{2}}\Rightarrow\frac{\sqrt{2}}{n}$=0 as n→∞. Therefore (0,0) is a cluster point of A.

(Perhaps a density argument would be more consise way to argue this?)

Step 2. Apply Definition of Limit.
Pick an ε>0. Then for d'(f(λ,μ),y0)<ε→$\sqrt{\left(\frac{λμ}{|λ|+|μ|}-f(0,0)\right)^{2}}$<ε.

From this I do not know how to pull out the d((λ,μ),(0,0))<δ→$\sqrt{(λ-0)^{2}+(μ-0)^{2}}$<δ to continue building this proof.

How far off track am I on this?

Last edited: Apr 5, 2012
2. Apr 5, 2012

### LCKurtz

You mean you think the limit is 0. Try squaring the fraction and work on that.