Join thousands of students who trust us to help them ace their exams!Watch the first video
Multiple Choice
Evaluate the following limit, if it exists. If the limit does not exist, select 'DNE'.
A
DNE
B
C
D
Verified step by step guidance
1
Step 1: Understand the problem. The goal is to evaluate the limit \( \lim_{(x, y) \to (0, 0)} \frac{xy}{x^2 + y^2} \). This involves determining whether the value of the function approaches a single finite value, diverges, or depends on the path taken as \( (x, y) \to (0, 0) \).
Step 2: Analyze the function \( \frac{xy}{x^2 + y^2} \). Notice that the numerator \( xy \) involves the product of \( x \) and \( y \), while the denominator \( x^2 + y^2 \) is the sum of squares, which is always positive except at \( (0, 0) \).
Step 3: Test the limit along different paths. For example, substitute \( y = mx \) (a straight line path through the origin) into the function. This gives \( \frac{xy}{x^2 + y^2} = \frac{x(mx)}{x^2 + (mx)^2} = \frac{m x^2}{x^2 + m^2 x^2} = \frac{m}{1 + m^2} \). The result depends on \( m \), indicating the limit may depend on the path.
Step 4: Test another path, such as \( y = 0 \). Substituting \( y = 0 \) into the function gives \( \frac{xy}{x^2 + y^2} = \frac{x(0)}{x^2 + 0^2} = 0 \). This result is different from the previous path, further suggesting the limit depends on the path.
Step 5: Conclude that the limit does not exist (DNE). Since the value of \( \frac{xy}{x^2 + y^2} \) depends on the path taken as \( (x, y) \to (0, 0) \), the limit does not approach a single finite value. Therefore, the correct answer is DNE.