# Bounded partial derivatives implies continuity.

• Sep 20th 2010, 06:40 PM
Pinkk
Bounded partial derivatives implies continuity.
Theorem: If $f$ is a function defined on an open set $S \subset \mathbb{R}^{n}$ and the partial derivatives exist and are bounded on $S$, then $f$ is continuous on $S$.

So I sorta understand the proof in the case of $\mathbb{R}^{2}$ given at this site: CHAPTER 2 up until this point:

The two terms in the first bracket on the right hand side differ only in y, those in the second bracket only in x. We can therefore transform both brackets on the right hand side by means of the ordinary mean value theorem of the differential calculus (Volume 1), the first bracket as a function of y alone and the second as a function of x alone. We thus obtain the relation:
I do not follow how that equality holds nor do I follow the explanation. Can someone explain more clearly how that equality holds and how this proof could be extrapolated to the general case of $\mathbb{R}^{n}$. Thank you.
Okay, I think I understand it, but isn't this proof using an assumption that $f$ is continuous since the mean value theorem is used?