Evaluating limit limit of multivariable function

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Discussion Overview

The discussion revolves around evaluating the limit of a multivariable function as it approaches the point (0, 0). Participants explore different approaches to determine whether the limit exists and what its value might be, considering both the x-axis and y-axis approaches.

Discussion Character

  • Mathematical reasoning
  • Debate/contested

Main Points Raised

  • One participant proposes evaluating the limit along the x-axis and concludes it is 0 using L'Hopital's rule.
  • Another participant questions the necessity of L'Hopital's rule and expresses confusion over the limit's evaluation.
  • A later reply suggests that without L'Hopital's rule, the limit could evaluate to infinity, implying that the limit does not exist in that case.
  • Another participant highlights the conditions under which L'Hopital's rule applies, referencing a specific case involving the function 1/x.

Areas of Agreement / Disagreement

Participants express differing views on the necessity and application of L'Hopital's rule, leading to conflicting conclusions about the existence of the limit. The discussion remains unresolved regarding the overall limit evaluation.

Contextual Notes

There are limitations regarding the assumptions made when applying L'Hopital's rule, and the discussion does not clarify the conditions under which the limit might exist or not.

tmt1
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I have

$$\lim_{{(x, y)}\to{(0, 0)}} \frac{x}{x^2 + y^2}$$

We can approach the limit on the x-axis, so the values of $x$ will change and the values of $y$ will stay :

$$\lim_{{x}\to{0}} \frac{x}{x^2}$$

I suppose I can take hospital's rule and get

$$\lim_{{x}\to{0}} \frac{x}{x^2}$$

$$\lim_{{x}\to{0}} \frac{1}{2x}$$

and

$$\lim_{{x}\to{0}} \frac{0}{2}$$

so the limit is 0.

Then we can approach the limit on the y-axis, so the values of $y$ will change and the values of $x$ will change.

$$\lim_{{y}\to{0}} \frac{0}{0 + y^2}$$

Which is 0. Because no matter what the value of y, the result will be zero.

Therefore, the limit of the function exists and it is 0.

However, in the text it says that the limit of this function does not exist.
 
Last edited:
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tmt said:
I suppose I can take hospital's rule and get

$$\lim_{{x}\to{0}} \frac{x}{x^2}$$

$$\lim_{{x}\to{0}} \frac{1}{2x}$$

and

$$\lim_{{x}\to{0}} \frac{0}{2}$$

so the limit is 0.
What? Do you have to use L'Hopital's rule?
 
Evgeny.Makarov said:
What? Do you have to use L'Hopital's rule?

Ah yes, you're right, the limit actually evaluates to infinity if I don't use L'Hopital's rule.

So, I suppose that means the limit doesn't exist in that case.
 
It's instructive to find the condition of the L'Hopital's rule theorem that does not hold for $1/x$.
 

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