Multivariable limits (NOT TO THE ORIGIN)

Click For Summary

Homework Help Overview

The discussion revolves around evaluating a multivariable limit as the point approaches (1, -1, 1). Participants are exploring the behavior of the limit of the expression \(\frac{yz+xz+xy}{1+xyz}\) and whether it exists or not.

Discussion Character

  • Mixed

Approaches and Questions Raised

  • One participant expresses difficulty in visualizing the limit in four-dimensional space and questions how to approach it from three-dimensional perspectives. Others suggest evaluating the limit along specific axes and discuss the behavior of the numerator and denominator as they approach the limit point.

Discussion Status

Participants are actively engaging with the problem, questioning assumptions about the behavior of the numerator and denominator. There is acknowledgment of differing interpretations regarding the limit's behavior, particularly concerning the signs of the numerator and denominator as they approach zero.

Contextual Notes

Some participants note that the limit does not yield a definitive answer when checked against computational tools, and there is an ongoing exploration of the implications of the limit approaching zero in the denominator.

mirajshah
Messages
6
Reaction score
0

Homework Statement


Hi everyone! I'm pretty good with multivariable limits, but this one has me stumped:
Find the limit or show that it does not exist:
<br /> \underset{\left(x,y,z\right)\rightarrow\left(1,-1,1\right)}{\lim}\frac{yz+xz+xy}{1+xyz}<br />

Homework Equations


The Attempt at a Solution


I could not work with polar coordinates here because there is no easy way to find a value that ρ approaches (the point is (1, -1, 1).
I found it difficult to prove that the limit didn't exist, as in this case the point is in 4-d space and one can only approach it from various 3-D spaces, which I simply could not visualize how to do.
Help please!
 
Last edited:
Physics news on Phys.org
simply take the limit along one axis, say x axis, the limit already blows up
 
Read the problem buddy. The limit is to be taken approaching the point (1, -1, 1), which is a point that doesn't lie on any of the axes.
 
The numerator approaches 0 and the denominator doesn't approach 0. Isn't that enough to tell you about the behavior of the limit?
 
Doesn't the denominator approach: \left(1+\left(1\times-1\times1\right)\right)=\left(1+\left(-1\right)\right)=\left(1-1\right)=0?

sunjin09, I realize I was a little rude with my response and I'm sorry, it's been a tough week. Thanks for the responses guys! I appreciate it.

Quick note: plugging into Wolfram Alpha yields nothing, so I don't have an answer we can cross-reference against. Sorry!
 
Yes, the denominator approaches 0. And the numerator doesn't. That was Dick's point.
 
HallsofIvy said:
Yes, the denominator approaches 0. And the numerator doesn't. That was Dick's point.

Yes, I had them backwards, sorry.
 
Oh my god, the limit is -∞? I'm so sorry guys, I feel like a real idiot. Thanks for the help!
 
mirajshah said:
Oh my god, the limit is -∞? I'm so sorry guys, I feel like a real idiot. Thanks for the help!

You are welcome! But I wouldn't describe it that way. The denominator doesn't have a definite sign. It could be either +∞ or -∞ depending on how you approach it.
 
  • #10
mirajshah said:
Doesn't the denominator approach: \left(1+\left(1\times-1\times1\right)\right)=\left(1+\left(-1\right)\right)=\left(1-1\right)=0?

sunjin09, I realize I was a little rude with my response and I'm sorry, it's been a tough week. Thanks for the responses guys! I appreciate it.

Quick note: plugging into Wolfram Alpha yields nothing, so I don't have an answer we can cross-reference against. Sorry!

No worries. I should've been more accurate in my wording.
 

Similar threads

Replies
1
Views
1K
  • · Replies 8 ·
Replies
8
Views
2K
  • · Replies 5 ·
Replies
5
Views
1K
  • · Replies 7 ·
Replies
7
Views
2K
Replies
2
Views
2K
  • · Replies 12 ·
Replies
12
Views
4K
  • · Replies 6 ·
Replies
6
Views
2K
  • · Replies 8 ·
Replies
8
Views
2K
  • · Replies 6 ·
Replies
6
Views
2K
Replies
6
Views
1K