# Homework Help: Help with Epsilon Delta Proof of Multivariable Limit

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1. Jun 19, 2016

### joe5185

1. The problem statement, all variables and given/known data
Hey guys. I am having a little trouble answering this question. I am teaching myself calc 3 and am a little confused here (and thus cant ask a teacher). I need to find the limit as (x,y) approaches (0,1) of f(x,y) when f(x,y)=(xy-x)/(x^2+y^2-2y+1).

2. Relevant equations
|f(x,y)-L|<epsilon
0<sqrt((x-a)^2+(y-b)^2))<delta

3. The attempt at a solution
Looking at the answer I see that the limit does not exist; however when I do the epsilon delta proof I cant see where I went wrong because I keep getting the result that it does :( ? So I attached a picture detailing my argument and I would love for someone to tell me where I went wrong. I chose L in the epsilon delta definition to be 0 because this is what I get when I approach (0,1) along x=0, y=1, and y=x^3+1 . I am aware that the limit does not exist because if you travel along x=y^2-1 you get a value other than zero. However my only concern is why my logic is not correct in the attached image. Thanks a lot! Also if you have tips for doing these epsilon delta proofs I would love to hear them.

#### Attached Files:

• ###### argument.png
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Last edited: Jun 19, 2016
2. Jun 19, 2016

You can factor the numerator and get x(y-1) . Meanwhile your denominator factors and you get x^2+(y-1)^2. If you let $x=\epsilon$ (it approaches zero) and let $y-1=\Delta$ you then get a simple expression for the limit in terms of $\epsilon$ and $\Delta$. If you let $\Delta=\alpha \epsilon$ the result depends on $\alpha$. Thereby you don't have a single limit that it converges to. And I see your error=your denominator is greater than zero but it is not greater than 1.(top line=your inequality is incorrect.)

3. Jun 19, 2016

### joe5185

thank you so much. I completely follow you here:). Do you mind elaborating on when I can use the technique where you choose what in your expression is delta and what is epsilon? It seems pretty powerful but I just want to make sure when and how to use it. Thanks for the help

4. Jun 19, 2016

You have two variables, x, y that are approaching a,b respectively. Let $x-a=\epsilon$ and $y-b=\Delta$. The $\epsilon$ and the $\Delta$ both approach zero, but there's nothing that says $\epsilon=\Delta$. You can let $\Delta=\alpha \epsilon$.The constant $\alpha$ is quite arbitrary. If you could show your expression to give an answer that is independent of $\alpha$, then the limit would be what you computed by evaluating the expression with the $\epsilon$ and $\Delta$. Hopefully this is helpful.

5. Jun 19, 2016