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Suppose f(x,y) is continuous for all $(x,y) \neq (a,b)$, (not continuous at (a,b)), can the partial derivative with respect to x (or y) at (a,b) still exist?

rmzep
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2 Answers2

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Yes, look at this example:

$f$ is not continuous at $(0,0)$, though the partial derivatives exist, as you can show

$f(x,y) = \begin{cases} \frac{xy}{x^2-y^2} &, x\neq \pm y \\ 0 &, x = \pm y \end{cases}$

The Jacobian Matrix exists at $(0,0)$, (use definition to show that $\frac{\partial f}{\partial x}$ and $\frac{\partial f}{\partial y}$ exist).

Aaron Maroja
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Another example is $$f(x,y) = \begin{cases} \frac{xy}{x^2+y^2} & \text{ if}\ (x,y)\neq (0,0) \\ 0 & \text{ if}\ (x,y)=(0,0) \end{cases}$$

orangeskid
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