# Thread: How to prove multivariable limits by the epsilon delta definition

1. ## How to prove multivariable limits by the epsilon delta definition

How to prove for example that $\lim_{(x,y)\to(1,1)}(x^2+y^2)=2$ ?

Or $\lim_{(x,y)\to(0,1)}\frac{x+1}{y+1}=\frac12$ ?

I want to learn it. I've been looking for some notes that show how to prove multivariable limits by the epsilon-delta definition, but not succeed.

2. For 1), you have to find a $\delta (\varepsilon)$ for any $\varepsilon>0$ such that if $|(x,y)-(1,1)|<\delta (\varepsilon) \Rightarrow |x^2+y^2-2|<\varepsilon$.
Hint : How do you calculate $(x,y)-(1,1)$?

3. well that'd be $(x-1,y-1)$ but i don't know what's next.

4. $|(x,y)-(1,1)|=|\sqrt{(x-1)^2+(y-1)^2}|=\sqrt{(x-1)^2+(y-1)^2}$.

Now you have to show that if $\sqrt{(x-1)^2+(y-1)^2}<\delta(\varepsilon)$ then $|x^2+y^2-2|<\varepsilon$.

Hint : Try to chose a value for $\delta(\varepsilon)$, note that it depends on $\varepsilon$. For instance I could try the proof with $\delta(\varepsilon)=\frac{1}{\varepsilon}$. If it doesn't work I'd try with another value.

5. Hello,

As a sidenote... : you're currently working on $\mathbb{R}^2$
Since we're in finite dimension, all the norms are equivalent.
So you can choose whatever norm you want :
norm 1 : $\|(a,b)\|=|a|+|b|$
norm 2 : $\|(a,b)\|=\sqrt{a^2+b^2}$

and by noting (a,b)-(c,d)=(a-c,b-d)

maybe the norm 1 would be easier to manipulate