Multivariable Functions

Functions of Two Variables

A real-valued function of two variables is a rule for assigning a real number to any ordered pair (𝑥, 𝑦) of real
numbers in some set 𝐷 ⊆ ℝ2 . We often label such functions by a symbol, such as 𝑓, and write 𝑓(𝑥, 𝑦) for the
value of 𝑓 with input (𝑥, 𝑦). The inputs 𝑥 and 𝑦 are called independent variables. If there are more than two
Multivariable Functions

independent variables then the function is function of these variables.

For example, the volume of the right cone is

1
𝑉 = 𝜋𝑟 2 ℎ = 𝑓 𝑟, ℎ
3

So, volume is a function of base radius and height.

The amount of heat of an electrical circuit is

𝑄 = 𝑅𝑖 2 𝑡
So, heat is a function of resistance, current and
time.

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PROF. DR. MURAT SUBAŞI ATATÜRK UNIVERSITY
 Domain and Range

The set 𝐷 = Dom(𝑓) is called the domain of 𝑓. The set of all values 𝑓 attains over 𝐷 is called the range of 𝑓
or image of 𝐷 by 𝑓.

Range 𝑓 = 𝑓(𝐷) = {𝑧 ∈ ℝ | 𝑧 = 𝑓(𝑥, 𝑦), (𝑥, 𝑦) ∈ 𝐷} .

Multivariable Functions

Example: Find the domain and range of the function 𝑓 𝑥, 𝑦 = 𝑥 − 𝑦.

Solution: The given function is defined for all real input and attains any real number.

Dom 𝑓 = 𝑥, 𝑦 ∈ ℝ2 Range 𝑓 = 𝑧 ∈ ℝ: − ∞ < 𝑧 < ∞

𝑦
𝑓 𝑥, 𝑦 = 𝑥 − 𝑦

𝑥
−∞ ∞

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PROF. DR. MURAT SUBAŞI ATATÜRK UNIVERSITY
 𝑦
Example: Find the domain of the function 𝑓 𝑥, 𝑦 = 𝑥 2+3𝑥−4.

Solution: The function in denominator must be different from zero.

𝑥 2 + 3𝑥 − 4 = 𝑥 − 1 𝑥 + 4
Multivariable Functions

Dom 𝑓 = 𝑥, 𝑦 ∈ ℝ2 : 𝑥 ∈ ℝ\ −4,1 , 𝑦 ∈ ℝ
𝑦

𝑥
−4 1

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PROF. DR. MURAT SUBAŞI ATATÜRK UNIVERSITY
 Example: Find the domain and range of the function 𝑓 𝑥, 𝑦 = log 1 − 𝑥 2 − 𝑦 2 .

Solution: We know that the logarithm function is defined only for positive input.

So, 1 − 𝑥 2 − 𝑦 2 > 0 ⟹ 𝑥 2 + 𝑦 2 < 1.

Multivariable Functions

Dom 𝑓 = 𝑥, 𝑦 ∈ ℝ2 : 𝑥 2 + 𝑦 2 < 1 Range 𝑓 = 𝑧 ∈ ℝ: − ∞ < 𝑧 ≤ 0

𝑦
1 𝑓 𝑥, 𝑦 = log 1 − 𝑥 2 − 𝑦 2

−1 𝑥
1 0
−∞

−1

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PROF. DR. MURAT SUBAŞI ATATÜRK UNIVERSITY
 Example: Find the domain of the function 𝑓 𝑥, 𝑦 = 𝑥 2 + 𝑦 2 − 1 + log 4 − 𝑥 2 − 𝑦 2 .

Solution: We know that the logarithm function is defined only for positive input and square root function
is defined only for non-negative input.

4 − 𝑥2 − 𝑦2 > 0 ⋀ 𝑥2 + 𝑦2 − 1 ≥ 0
Multivariable Functions

𝑥2 + 𝑦2 < 4 ⋀ 𝑥2 + 𝑦2 ≥ 1

Dom 𝑓 = 𝑥, 𝑦 ∈ ℝ2 : 1 ≤ 𝑥 2 + 𝑦 2 < 4
𝑦
2
1

−1 𝑥
1 2
−1

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PROF. DR. MURAT SUBAŞI ATATÜRK UNIVERSITY
 Homework: Find the domain of the function 𝑓 𝑥, 𝑦 = 𝑥 2 − 𝑦 2 + 𝑥 2 + 𝑦 2 − 1.

Just as 𝑦 values on the graph of the function 𝑦 = 𝑓(𝑥) indicate a curve in the 𝑥𝑦 plane, on the graph of the
function of two variables 𝑧 = 𝑓(𝑥, 𝑦), 𝑧 values indicate a surface in the space 𝑥𝑦𝑧.
Multivariable Functions

𝑧 = 𝑓 𝑥, 𝑦 = 𝑥 2 + 𝑦 2 𝑧 = 𝑓 𝑥, 𝑦 = sin 𝑥 + 𝑦

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PROF. DR. MURAT SUBAŞI ATATÜRK UNIVERSITY
 Limit and Continuity

We write lim 𝑓 𝑥, 𝑦 = 𝐿 and we read the limit of 𝑓 (𝑥, 𝑦) as (𝑥, 𝑦) approaches (𝑎, 𝑏) is 𝐿, if we
𝑥,𝑦 → 𝑎,𝑏
can make 𝑓 (𝑥, 𝑦) as close as we want to 𝐿, simply by taking (𝑥, 𝑦) close enough to (𝑎, 𝑏) but not equal to
it.
Multivariable Functions

Properties of Limits of Functions of Several Variables

Let us assume that 𝐿, 𝑀, and 𝑘 are real numbers and that lim 𝑓 𝑥, 𝑦 = 𝐿 and lim 𝑔 𝑥, 𝑦 = 𝑀
𝑥,𝑦 → 𝑎,𝑏 𝑥,𝑦 → 𝑎,𝑏
then the following hold:

1. First, we have the obvious limits

lim 𝑥=𝑎
𝑥,𝑦 → 𝑎,𝑏

lim 𝑦=𝑏
𝑥,𝑦 → 𝑎,𝑏

If 𝑐 is any constant,
lim 𝑐=𝑐
𝑥,𝑦 → 𝑎,𝑏

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PROF. DR. MURAT SUBAŞI ATATÜRK UNIVERSITY
 2. Sum and difference rules;
lim 𝑓 𝑥, 𝑦 ± 𝑔 𝑥, 𝑦 =𝐿±𝑀
𝑥,𝑦 → 𝑎,𝑏

3. Constant multiple rule;

lim 𝑘𝑓 𝑥, 𝑦 = 𝑘𝐿
𝑥,𝑦 → 𝑎,𝑏
Multivariable Functions

4. Product rule;
lim 𝑓 𝑥, 𝑦 . 𝑔 𝑥, 𝑦 = 𝐿. 𝑀
𝑥,𝑦 → 𝑎,𝑏

5. Quotient rule:
𝑓 𝑥, 𝑦 𝐿
lim =
𝑥,𝑦 → 𝑎,𝑏 𝑔 𝑥, 𝑦 𝑀
provided 𝑀 ≠ 0.
6. Power rule: If 𝑟 and 𝑠 are integers with no common factors, and 𝑠 ≠ 0 then
𝑟 𝑟
lim 𝑓 𝑥, 𝑦 𝑠 = 𝐿𝑠
𝑥,𝑦 → 𝑎,𝑏
𝑟
provided 𝐿 is a real number. If 𝑠 is even, we assume 𝐿 > 0.
𝑠

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PROF. DR. MURAT SUBAŞI ATATÜRK UNIVERSITY
  To find the limit of a polynomial, we simply plug in the point.

 To find the limit of a rational function, we plug in the point as long as the denominator is not 0.

Example: Find
lim 𝑥 6 𝑦 + 2𝑥𝑦
𝑥,𝑦 → 1,2
Multivariable Functions

Solution: Combining the rules mentioned above allows us to do the following:

lim 𝑥 6 𝑦 + 2𝑥𝑦 = 16 . 2 + 2.1.2 = 2 + 4 = 6

𝑥,𝑦 → 1,2

Example: Find
𝑥 2𝑦
lim
𝑥,𝑦 → 1,1 𝑥4 + 𝑦2
Solution: Combining the rules mentioned above allows us to do the following:

𝑥 2𝑦 12 . 1 1
lim = =
𝑥,𝑦 → 1,1 𝑥 4 + 𝑦 2 14 + 12 2
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PROF. DR. MURAT SUBAŞI ATATÜRK UNIVERSITY
 Note: Like for functions of one variable, the rules do not apply when "plugging-in" the point results in an
indeterminate form. In that case, we must use techniques similar to the ones used for functions of one
variable. Such techniques include factoring, multiplying by the conjugate. We illustrate them with
examples.
Multivariable Functions

Example: Find
𝑥3 − 𝑦3
lim
𝑥,𝑦 → 0,0 𝑥−𝑦

Solution: We cannot plug in the point as we get 0 in the denominator. We try to rewrite the fraction to see if
we can simplify it:

𝑥 − 𝑦 𝑥 2 + 𝑥𝑦 + 𝑦 2
lim = lim 𝑥 2 + 𝑥𝑦 + 𝑦 2 = 0
𝑥,𝑦 → 0,0 𝑥−𝑦 𝑥,𝑦 → 0,0

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PROF. DR. MURAT SUBAŞI ATATÜRK UNIVERSITY
 Example: Find
𝑥 2 − 𝑥𝑦
lim
𝑥,𝑦 → 0,0 𝑥− 𝑦

0
Solution: Here, we cannot plug in the point because we get 0, an indeterminate form. Since this is a fraction
Multivariable Functions

which involves a square root function, we multiply by the conjugate.

𝑥 2 − 𝑥𝑦 𝑥 2 − 𝑥𝑦 𝑥 + 𝑦 𝑥 𝑥−𝑦
lim = lim = lim 𝑥+ 𝑦
𝑥,𝑦 → 0,0 𝑥− 𝑦 𝑥,𝑦 → 0,0 𝑥− 𝑦 𝑥+ 𝑦 𝑥,𝑦 → 0,0 𝑥−𝑦

= lim 𝑥 𝑥+ 𝑦 =0
𝑥,𝑦 → 0,0

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PROF. DR. MURAT SUBAŞI ATATÜRK UNIVERSITY
 Continuity

A function 𝑓(𝑥, 𝑦) is said to be continuous at a point (𝑎, 𝑏) if the following is true;

1. 𝑎, 𝑏 is in the domain of 𝑓.
Multivariable Functions

2. lim 𝑓 𝑥, 𝑦 exists.
𝑥,𝑦 → 𝑎,𝑏

3. lim 𝑓 𝑥, 𝑦 = 𝑓 𝑎, 𝑏
𝑥,𝑦 → 𝑎,𝑏

If a function 𝑓 is not continuous at a point (𝑎, 𝑏), we say that it is discontinuous at (𝑎, 𝑏).

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PROF. DR. MURAT SUBAŞI ATATÜRK UNIVERSITY
 Theorem: The following results are true for multivariable functions:

1. The sum, difference and product of continuous functions is a continuous function.

2. The quotient of two continuous functions is continuous as long as the denominator is not 0.

3. Polynomial functions are continuous.

Multivariable Functions

4. Rational functions are continuous in their domain.

2𝑥−𝑦
Example: Where is 𝑓 𝑥, 𝑦 = continuous?
𝑥 2 +𝑦 2

Solution: 𝑓 is the quotient of two continuous functions, therefore it is continuous as long as its
denominator is not 0 that is on ℝ2 \ 0,0 .
1
Example: Where is 𝑓 𝑥, 𝑦 = 𝑥 2−𝑦 continuous?

Solution: 𝑓 is the quotient of two continuous functions, therefore it is continuous as long as its
denominator is not 0. The denominator is 0 along the parabola 𝑦 = 𝑥 2 . Therefore, 𝑓 is continuous on
𝑥, 𝑦 ∈ ℝ2 : 𝑦 ≠ 𝑥 2

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PROF. DR. MURAT SUBAŞI ATATÜRK UNIVERSITY
 Partial Derivatives

Let 𝑓 be a function of two variables:

a. The partial derivative of 𝑓 with respect to 𝑥, denoted 𝑓𝑥 𝑥, 𝑦 is defined to be

Multivariable Functions

𝜕𝑓 𝑓 𝑥 + ℎ, 𝑦 − 𝑓 𝑥, 𝑦
= 𝑓𝑥 𝑥, 𝑦 = lim
𝜕𝑥 ℎ→0 ℎ

To find 𝑓𝑥 , regard 𝑦 as a constant and differentiate 𝑓 𝑥, 𝑦 with respect to 𝑥.

b. The partial derivative of 𝑓 with respect to 𝑦, denoted 𝑓𝑦 𝑥, 𝑦 is defined to be

𝜕𝑓 𝑓 𝑥, 𝑦 + ℎ − 𝑓 𝑥, 𝑦
= 𝑓𝑦 𝑥, 𝑦 = lim
𝜕𝑦 ℎ→0 ℎ

To find 𝑓𝑦 , regard 𝑥 as a constant and differentiate 𝑓 𝑥, 𝑦 with respect to 𝑦.

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PROF. DR. MURAT SUBAŞI ATATÜRK UNIVERSITY
 𝜕𝑓 𝜕𝑓
Example: Find and for 𝑓 𝑥, 𝑦 = 𝑥 2 + 𝑦 2 + 5𝑥𝑦.
𝜕𝑥 𝜕𝑦

𝜕𝑓 𝜕
Solution: 𝜕𝑥
= 𝜕𝑥 𝑥 2 + 𝑦 2 + 5𝑥𝑦 = 2𝑥 + 5𝑦

𝜕𝑓 𝜕
Multivariable Functions

= 𝜕𝑦 𝑥 2 + 𝑦 2 + 5𝑥𝑦 = 2𝑦 + 5𝑥
𝜕𝑦

𝜕𝑓 𝜕𝑓 𝑥
Example: Find and for 𝑓 𝑥, 𝑦 = sin .
𝜕𝑥 𝜕𝑦 1+𝑦

𝜕𝑓 𝜕 𝑥 𝑥 𝜕 𝑥 𝑥 1
Solution: = 𝜕𝑥 sin = cos = cos
𝜕𝑥 1+𝑦 1+𝑦 𝜕𝑥 1+𝑦 1+𝑦 1+𝑦

𝜕𝑓 𝜕 𝑥 𝑥 𝜕 𝑥 𝑥 −𝑥
= 𝜕𝑦 sin = cos = cos .
𝜕𝑦 1+𝑦 1+𝑦 𝜕𝑦 1+𝑦 1+𝑦 1+𝑦 2

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PROF. DR. MURAT SUBAŞI ATATÜRK UNIVERSITY
 Exact(Total) Differential

Let 𝑓 𝑥, 𝑦 be a function of two variables then the exact or total differential of 𝑓 𝑥, 𝑦 is defined as

𝑑𝑓 = 𝑓𝑥 𝑥, 𝑦 𝑑𝑥 + 𝑓𝑦 𝑥, 𝑦 𝑑𝑦

Example: Find the exact differential of 𝑓 𝑥, 𝑦 = 𝑥 2 𝑦 + 𝑥𝑦 3 .

Multivariable Functions

Solution:
𝑑𝑓 = 𝑑 𝑥 2 𝑦 + 𝑥𝑦 3 = 2𝑥𝑦 + 𝑦 3 𝑑𝑥 + 𝑥 2 + 3𝑥𝑦 2 𝑑𝑦

Example: Find the exact differential of 𝑓 𝑥, 𝑦 = cos 2𝑥 − 6𝑦 .

Solution:
𝑑𝑓 = 𝑑 cos 2𝑥 − 6𝑦 = −2 sin 2𝑥 − 6𝑦 𝑑𝑥 + 6 sin 2𝑥 − 6𝑦 𝑑𝑦

𝑥
Example: Find the exact differential of 𝑓 𝑥, 𝑦 = 𝑦.

Solution:
𝑥 1 𝑥
𝑑𝑓 = 𝑑 = 𝑦 𝑑𝑥 − 𝑦 2 𝑑𝑦
𝑦

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PROF. DR. MURAT SUBAŞI ATATÜRK UNIVERSITY
 EXERCISES

1. Find the domain of the function 𝑓 𝑥, 𝑦 = 𝑥 − 𝑦

Answer: Dom 𝑓 = 𝑥, 𝑦 ∈ ℝ2 : 𝑦 ≤ 𝑥
Multivariable Functions

𝑦
2. Find the domain of the function 𝑓 𝑥, 𝑦 = 𝑥 2
Answer: Dom 𝑓 = 𝑥, 𝑦 ∈ ℝ2 : 𝑥 ≠ 0

3. Find the domain of the function 𝑓 𝑥, 𝑦 = ln 𝑥 + ln 𝑦

Answer: Dom 𝑓 = 𝑥, 𝑦 ∈ ℝ2 : 𝑥 > 0 ∧ 𝑦 > 0

Range 𝑓 = 𝑧 ∈ ℝ: − ∞ < 𝑧 < ∞

4. Find the domain and range of the function 𝑓 𝑥, 𝑦 = 𝑥 + 𝑦

Answer: Dom 𝑓 = 𝑥, 𝑦 ∈ ℝ2 : 𝑥 ≥ 0 ∧ 𝑦 ≥ 0
Range 𝑓 = 𝑧 ∈ ℝ: 𝑧 ≥ 0
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PROF. DR. MURAT SUBAŞI ATATÜRK UNIVERSITY
 3𝑥 2 − 𝑦 2 + 5
5. Find lim 5
𝑥,𝑦 → 0,0 𝑥2 + 𝑦2 + 2 Answer: 2

2 − 𝑥𝑦 + 4 1
6. Find lim Answer: − 4
Multivariable Functions

𝑥,𝑦 → 0,0 𝑥𝑦

𝑥 sin 𝑦
7. Find lim Answer: 0
𝑥,𝑦 → 1,0 𝑥2 + 1

𝜕𝑓 𝜕𝑓 𝜕𝑓 2𝑥 𝜕𝑓 2𝑦
8. Find 𝜕𝑥
and 𝜕𝑦
for 𝑓 𝑥, 𝑦 = ln 𝑥 2 + 𝑦 2 Answer: 𝜕𝑥 = 𝑥 2 +𝑦2 and = 𝑥 2 +𝑦2
𝜕𝑦

𝜕𝑓 𝜕𝑓 𝑥 𝜕𝑓 𝑦 𝜕𝑓 𝑥
9. Find and for 𝑓 𝑥, 𝑦 = arccot 𝑦 Answer: 𝜕𝑥 = − 𝑥 2+𝑦2 and = 𝑥 2+𝑦2
𝜕𝑥 𝜕𝑦 𝜕𝑦

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PROF. DR. MURAT SUBAŞI ATATÜRK UNIVERSITY
 10. Find the exact differential of 𝑓 𝑥, 𝑦 = 𝑥 2 𝑦 − 𝑒 𝑦 . Answer: 𝑑𝑓 = 2𝑥𝑦𝑑𝑥 + 𝑥 2 − 𝑒 𝑦 𝑑𝑦

𝑥 1 𝑥
11. Find the exact differential of 𝑓 𝑥, 𝑦 = 𝑦
. Answer: 𝑑𝑓 = 𝑑𝑥 − 𝑑𝑦
𝑦 2 𝑦3
Multivariable Functions

12. Find the exact differential of 𝑓 𝑥, 𝑦 = 𝑒 −2𝑥 tan 𝑦.

Answer: 𝑑𝑓 = −2𝑒 −2𝑥 tan 𝑦 𝑑𝑥 + 𝑒 −2𝑥 sec 2 𝑦𝑑𝑦

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