Showing that a multivariable limit does not exist

Click For Summary

Discussion Overview

The discussion revolves around the evaluation of a multivariable limit and whether it exists or not. Participants explore different paths to approach the limit, including x=0, y=0, and y=x^2, and consider the implications of these paths on the existence of the limit.

Discussion Character

  • Exploratory
  • Mathematical reasoning
  • Debate/contested

Main Points Raised

  • One participant notes that along the path x=0, the limit tends to 0, suggesting that if the limit exists, it approaches 0.
  • Another participant raises a concern about the path y=0 leading to divisibility by zero, questioning whether this indicates that the limit does not exist or merely suggests an asymptote.
  • It is mentioned that along the path y=x^2, the limit approaches 1, which contrasts with the result from the path x=0, leading to the conclusion that the limit does not exist.
  • A participant proposes rewriting the function to analyze it better and suggests that converting to polar coordinates might provide further insight into the limit's behavior.
  • Concerns are raised about the undefined nature of the function along the line y=0, leading to the assertion that this complicates the use of limit concepts in this context.

Areas of Agreement / Disagreement

Participants express differing views on the implications of the path y=0 and whether it contributes to the conclusion that the limit does not exist. There is no consensus on the interpretation of the limit's behavior along this path.

Contextual Notes

Participants acknowledge that the limit's behavior may depend on the paths taken and that the undefined nature of the function along y=0 presents complications. The discussion remains open regarding the implications of these observations.

ek124
Messages
2
Reaction score
0
TL;DR
how to show a multivariable limit does not exist/exist
I want to show that the limit of the following exists or does not exist:

245722

When going along the path x=0 the limit will tend to 0 thus if the limit exists it will be approaching the value 0
when going along the path y=0, we get an equation with divisibility by zero. Since this is not possible does this already show that the limit does not exist? Or does it simply mean that there is an asymptote... I would like to know what this means.
Finally when going along the path y=x^2, the limit tends to 1. Since the first and last path give a different outcome the limit DNE however I want to know what the path along y=0 tells us anyway.
 
Physics news on Phys.org
nvm it's solved
 
i.e. does not exist ?
 
  • Like
Likes   Reactions: ek124
ek124 said:
I want to know what the path along y=0 tells us anyway.

I was going to say if you rewrite the function inside the limit as ## \frac {x^2} {y} + y ##, then perhaps that offers a better perspective but I'm not sure.

I think actually seeing that the top has ##x^2 + y^2##, that should immediately strike you as saying that changing the function into its polar equivalent might be helpful for the limit. We know that ##x^2 + y^2 = r^2## and ##y = r * \sin\theta##, and the limit along the line ##y = 0## corresponds to ## \theta = 0## from the right side and ##\theta = \pi ## from the left, hence we have:

##\lim_{(r, \theta) \rightarrow (0,0)} {\frac {r^2} {r*\sin\theta}} = \lim_{(r, \theta) \rightarrow (0,0)} {\frac {r} {\sin\theta}}##

Yeah this seems to lead to the same undefined issue as well.

Even thinking about this numerically leads to the same issues.

So I think if a function is undefined for that entire line of ##y=0##, then we cannot really use the idea of a limit here. I could be wrong, but that's what I got for now.
 

Similar threads

  • · Replies 3 ·
Replies
3
Views
3K
  • · Replies 1 ·
Replies
1
Views
3K
  • · Replies 2 ·
Replies
2
Views
2K
Replies
11
Views
2K
  • · Replies 15 ·
Replies
15
Views
2K
  • · Replies 9 ·
Replies
9
Views
2K
  • · Replies 3 ·
Replies
3
Views
1K
  • · Replies 1 ·
Replies
1
Views
2K
  • · Replies 4 ·
Replies
4
Views
3K
  • · Replies 26 ·
Replies
26
Views
3K