Proving a Limit with Delta-Epsilon

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Homework Help Overview

The discussion revolves around proving the limit of the function x² + y² as (x, y) approaches (a, b), specifically lim (x² + y²) = a² + b². Participants are exploring the delta-epsilon definition of limits in the context of multivariable calculus.

Discussion Character

  • Exploratory, Conceptual clarification, Mathematical reasoning, Problem interpretation

Approaches and Questions Raised

  • Participants discuss the relationship between the delta-epsilon definition and the limit proof, with some questioning the validity of certain steps in the original poster's reasoning. Others suggest alternative methods, including the use of polar coordinates and transformations to simplify the limit proof.

Discussion Status

The discussion is ongoing, with various participants providing insights and suggestions for approaching the problem. Some guidance has been offered regarding the structure of the proof, but there is no explicit consensus on the correct method or solution yet.

Contextual Notes

Some participants express confusion over the original poster's notation and approach, indicating a need for clearer mathematical communication. The discussion includes references to external resources, although some participants find them unhelpful.

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Delta epsilon definition of a limit and its proof

Homework Statement



Prove; lim x2+y2= a2+b2
(x,y) ---->(a,b)


Homework Equations



Not much equations are present, just some algebra, and the definition of a limit.


The Attempt at a Solution



Well, this is what I did

(x2+y2)-(a2+b2) < \sqrt{(x-a)2+(y-b)2} = or < than \delta.

so i opened the right hand, and left hand of the equation with the square root out.

x2+y2-a2-b2=(x2+y2+a2+b2-2xa-2yb)-2a2-2b2+2xa+2yb

The parenthesis in the right hand side is /delta2. and all the other stuff on the right hand side, I'm going to try to write it in terms of \delta .

-2a2-2b2+2xa+2yb= (x-a)+(y-b)

so, I fix these up a bit;

(x-a)+(y-b)=2a(x-a) + 2b(y-b) < \delta

so here, 2a(x-a) is 2a\delta and 2b(y-b) is 2b\delta

and we know that x-a<\delta and y-a<\delta

so in the worst case, let's equal these pieced to \delta, we will have

2a\delta + 2b\delta + \delta2 <\epsilon


And from here, I just solve for \delta.

Is this the correct way to solve this? Lend me a helping hand the masters of math.
 
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ahmetbaba said:

Homework Statement



Prove; lim x2+y2= a2+b2
(x,y) ---->(a,b)


Homework Equations



Not much equations are present, just some algebra, and the definition of a limit.


The Attempt at a Solution



Well, this is what I did

(x2+y2)-(a2+b2) < \sqrt{(x-a)2+(y-b)2} = or < than \delta.
this statement isn't true
 
well that first statement is from the epsilon-delta definition of a limit. I know they don't equal each other, but they do have a relationship, and that's how you approach the problem, that's what I think.
 
ahmetbaba said:

Homework Statement



Prove; lim x2+y2= a2+b2
(x,y) ---->(a,b)


Homework Equations



Not much equations are present, just some algebra, and the definition of a limit.


The Attempt at a Solution



Well, this is what I did

(x2+y2)-(a2+b2) < \sqrt{(x-a)2+(y-b)2} = or < than \delta.

so i opened the right hand, and left hand of the equation with the square root out.

x2+y2-a2-b2=(x2+y2+a2+b2-2xa-2yb)-2a2-2b2+2xa+2yb

The parenthesis in the right hand side is /delta2. and all the other stuff on the right hand side, I'm going to try to write it in terms of \delta .

-2a2-2b2+2xa+2yb= (x-a)+(y-b)

so, I fix these up a bit;

(x-a)+(y-b)=2a(x-a) + 2b(y-b) < \delta

so here, 2a(x-a) is 2a\delta and 2b(y-b) is 2b\delta

and we know that x-a<\delta and y-a<\delta

so in the worst case, let's equal these pieced to \delta, we will have

2a\delta + 2b\delta + \delta2 <\epsilon


And from here, I just solve for \delta.

Is this the correct way to solve this? Lend me a helping hand the masters of math.

To better understand the definition of a multiviariable func

here is a step-by-step guide http://www.math.utah.edu/~arcara/teaching/0308/handout.pdf
 
Suzanne, the link that you posted doesn't say how to prove that a limit exists, it basically says that we did such things and now do these for practice.

Is there no one here that knows about these things in detail?
 
You need to show that for any positive epsilon, there is a positive number delta such that if |(x, y) - (a, b)| < delta, then |x^2 + y^2 - a^2 - b^2)| < epsilon.

What the first inequality says is that (x, y) can be any point within delta of the point (a, b). I'm having a hard time following your work, especially the part just before you said you "opened" the right side.
 
well the right hand side is the length. [(x-a)^2+(y-b)^2]^.5, When I say I open this up, I mean, i take its square and distribute the squares.
 
It's extremely hard to read your post since you don't use latex, so I'm going to try lead you down a different way.

You want to show that for every ε>0 there exists δ>0 so that (x-a)^2 + (y-b)^2 &lt; \delta^2 implies ( x^2-a^2 + y^2-b^2) = (x-a)(x+a) + (y-b)(y+b) &lt; \epsilon.

So a method you could use is to start with (x-a)^2 + (y-b)^2 &lt; \delta^2, and use it to show that it implies some other inequality (x-a)(x+a) + (y-b)(y+b) &lt; f(\delta). Then if you can show that f is invertible, so that for every ε>0 there exists δ>0 so that f(δ) = ε, then we have found a way to satisfy our definition. The first step in this method is to use the starting inequality and get some basic, weaker inequalities from it, so do that first and play around with it.
 
With functions of two variables, I find it easiest to "translate" so that the limit is as (x, y) goes to (0, 0) and then change to polar coordinates. That way the distance to (0, 0) is measured by the single variable, r.

Let x'= x- a, y'= y- b. Then x= x'+ a, y= y'+ b, and x^2+ y^2= (x&#039;+a)^2+ (y&#039;+ b)^2=x&#039;^2+ y&#039;^2+ 2ax&#039;+ 2by&#039;+ a^2+ b^2. In polar coordinates, x&#039;^2+ y&#039;^2= r^2 2ax&#039;= 2ar cos(\theta) and 2by&#039;= 2br sin(\theta) so that x^2+ y^2= r^2+ 2r(a cos(\theta)+ b sin(\theta)+ a^2+ b^2.

That will have limit, as (x, y) goes to (a, b), a^2+ b^2 if and only if r^2+ 2r(a cos(\theta)+ b sin(\theta)= r(r+ 2(acos(\theta)+ b sin(\theta)) goes to 0 as r goes to 0 (for any value of \theta).
 

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