# Finding a limit with two variables

If $(x,y)\neq (0,0)$, let $f(x,y)=(x^2-y^2)/(x^2+y^2)$. Find the limit of f(x,y) as $(x,y) \leftrightarrow (0,0)$ along the line y=mx.

By replacing y=mx, I found $f(x,y)=(1-m^2)/(1+m^2)$

Is it possible to define f(0,0) so as to make f continuous at (0,0)

This I didn't know

Please help

-

## 1 Answer

If a limit $L$ at $(0,0)$ existed, then for every $m$, you would have $$\lim_{x\rightarrow 0}f(x,mx)=L$$ since $(x,mx)\rightarrow (0,0)$ when $x\rightarrow 0$.

Given your work, this yields $$\frac{1-m^2}{1+m^2}=L\qquad\forall m\in\mathbb{R}.$$ Can you find a contradiction? Try two simple values of $m$.

-
No I cannot. Can specify a bit more –  Carpediem Mar 10 '13 at 0:00
@Carpediem Ok, I edited. And now? –  1015 Mar 10 '13 at 0:02
We get a different limit for different values of m –  Carpediem Mar 10 '13 at 0:05
@Carpediem Yes, e.g. $m=0$ and $m=1$ yield $L=1$ and $L=0$. Contradiction. –  1015 Mar 10 '13 at 0:06
So the answer to the second question is no –  Carpediem Mar 10 '13 at 0:07