TITLE: Is the function $ f(x,y)=\frac{xy}{x^{2}+y^{2}}$ where $f(0,0)$ is defined to be $0$ continuous?
QUESTION [9 upvotes]: Is the function $ f(x,y)=\frac{xy}{x^{2}+y^{2}}$ where $f(0,0)$ is defined to be $0$ continuous? I don't think it is and I am trying to either show this by the definition or by showing that maybe a close set in $\mathbb{R}$  has an inverse set that is not closed in $ \mathbb{R} ^{2}$. I tried the point $0$ but this is open in $\mathbb{R}$. Any hints or ideas? Thanks!

REPLY [8 votes]: Well, If it were continuous then for ALL $\varepsilon >0$, there exist $\delta>0$ such that if $\|x-a\|<\delta$ then $\|f(x)-f(a)\|<\varepsilon$. So it is enough to show one counter example.
For a specific $\varepsilon$, say $\varepsilon =\frac{1}{4}$, then clearly
$$\left\|\left(\frac{\delta}{2}, \frac{\delta}{2}\right)-(0,0)\right\| = \left\|\left(\frac{\delta}{2},\frac{\delta}{2}\right)\right\| = \frac{\delta}{\sqrt{2}}<\delta$$
But $$\left\|\frac{\frac{\delta}{2}\frac{\delta}{2}}{\frac{\delta^2}{4}{}\frac{\delta^2}{4}}- 0\right\|=\frac{1}{2}>\frac{1}{4} = \varepsilon$$
There you go you have a counter example here where we picked a specific $\varepsilon$ and could not conclude $\|f(x)-f(a)\|<\varepsilon$
The above answers are correct but you should be able to prove this using delta epsilon definition like I did. Note that the answers above say you approach the origin along y=x suggests the delta I pick for the proof. You see I picked $\left(\frac{\delta}{2}, \frac{\delta}{2}\right)$ in the form of $(x,x)$ for my $(x,y)$ since I'm approaching the origin along y=x.