# Limit problem

1. Aug 15, 2011

### TheAntithesis

1. The problem statement, all variables and given/known data
Apply the definition of the limit to show that

lim (x,y)-->(0,0) xy^3/(x^2+y^2) = 0

2. Relevant equations
Definition of the limit:
lim (x,y)-->(a,b) f(x,y) = L if for every number epsilon > 0 there is a corresponding number delta > 0 such that if (x,y) is in the domain and 0 < sqrt((x-a)^2 + (y-b)^2) < delta then |f(x,y) - L| < epsilon

3. The attempt at a solution

So far I've just plugged in the numbers:

Let epsilon > 0. We want to find delta > 0 such that
if 0 < sqrt(x^2 + y^2) < delta then |xy^3/(x^2 + y^2) - 0| < epsilon

I have no idea what to do next.
Note that it says to show that this is the limit using the definition given above.

2. Aug 15, 2011

### Quinzio

Is not true that the limit is 0.
If you let $y=0$ and $x \to 0$, we have the
$$\lim_{x \to 0} \frac{1}{x} \ne 0$$

3. Aug 15, 2011

### TheAntithesis

If y = 0 then xy^3 = 0 then xy^3/(x^2+y^2) = 0/x^2 = 0 so the limit must be 0

4. Aug 15, 2011

### NeroKid

u cant take limit of the numerator without taking limit of the denominator so u basically wrong

5. Aug 15, 2011

### TheAntithesis

Wolfram?
http://www.wolframalpha.com/input/?i=lim+%28x%2Cy%29-%3E%280%2C0%29+xy^3%2F%28x^2+%2B+y^2%29

6. Aug 15, 2011

### NeroKid

7. Aug 15, 2011

### Quinzio

Oh yes, sure.

8. Aug 15, 2011

### HallsofIvy

I would switch to polar coordinates- that way the "distance to (0, 0)" is given by the single variable, r.

In polar coordinates, the function is
$$\frac{(r cos(\theta)(r sin(\theta))^3}{r^2}= r^2 cos(\theta)sin^3(\theta)$$

Of course, $|cos(\theta)sin^3(\theta)|\le 1$ for all $\theta$.

9. Aug 16, 2011

### TheAntithesis

Ok let me know if this makes any sense at all....

After changing it to polar coordinates, we get $\lim_{r \to 0} r^2 cos(\theta)sin^3(\theta)$

Let $\epsilon > 0$. We want to find $\delta > 0$ such that

if $0<r< \delta$ then $|r^2 cos(\theta)sin^3(\theta) - 0| < \epsilon$

since $|cos(\theta)sin^3(\theta)| \le 1$ for all $\theta$

$r^2 cos(\theta)sin^3(\theta) \le r^2$

Thus if we choose $\delta^2 = \epsilon$ and let $0<r<\delta$ then

$|r^2 cos(\theta)sin^3(\theta) - 0| \le r^2 \le \delta^2 = \epsilon$

And hence $\lim_{(x,y) \to (0,0)} = 0$

Last edited: Aug 16, 2011