# Math Help - Determine where f is continuous and where f is discontinuous

1. ## Determine where f is continuous and where f is discontinuous

I have never liked problems of the sort where rational/irrational numbers are involved.

For the function $f(x,y)=\left\{\begin{array}{cc}x^2+y^2,&x,y\mbox{ both rational }\\0, & \mbox{ otherwise, }\end{array}\right$
determine where $f$ is continuous and where $f$ is discontinuous. Does $f$ have any partial derivatives?

A note provided is as follows: Every neighborhood in $R^2$ always contains points with rational and points with irrational coordinates.

Mainly, the part I have difficulty with is the rational/irrational bit. I've never been able to work with those properly, probably because I missed something fundamental in my earlier years.

2. Originally Posted by Runty
I have never liked problems of the sort where rational/irrational numbers are involved.

For the function $f(x,y)=\left\{\begin{array}{cc}x^2+y^2,&x,y\mbox{ both rational }\\0, & \mbox{ otherwise, }\end{array}\right$
determine where $f$ is continuous and where $f$ is discontinuous. Does $f$ have any partial derivatives?

A note provided is as follows: Every neighborhood in $R^2$ always contains points with rational and points with irrational coordinates.

Mainly, the part I have difficulty with is the rational/irrational bit. I've never been able to work with those properly, probably because I missed something fundamental in my earlier years.
note that by the squeeze theorem that

$0 < f(x,y)

Now just let $\epsilon=\delta$ and when

$|(x,y)-(0,0)|< \delta \iff x^2+y^2<\delta$

then $|f(x,y)-0|\le |x^2+y^2|=...$

Will this work for any other point than (0,0)?