Sufficient condition for differentiability of a function of two variables

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A sufficient condition for the differentiability of a function of two variables is that both partial derivatives exist and are continuous in a neighborhood of the point. This means that if these conditions are met, the derivative \mathbf{D}f exists. However, there are exceptions, as illustrated by the function f(x) = x² for rational x and -x² for irrational x, which is differentiable at 0 but nowhere else. This example highlights that a function can be differentiable at a point even if its partial derivatives are not continuous elsewhere. Thus, while the existence and continuity of partial derivatives are strong indicators, they do not guarantee differentiability in all cases.
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Is there a convenient sufficient condition for knowing whether a function of two variables is differentiable? Isn't it something like if both the partial derivatives exist and are continuous, you know the derivative \mathbf{D}f exists?
 
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Yes, that is correct. A function is differentiable at a point if and only if the partial derivatives exist and are continuous in some neighborhood of the point.
 
I'm not sure about the "only if" part.

Take for instance f(x) = x² if x is rational and =-x² otherwise. Then f is differentiable at 0 but nowhere else.
 
the derivative of a function can be discontinuous
 

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