Function with partial derivatives that exist and are both continuous at the origin but the original function is not differentiable at the origin

continuitypartial derivativereal-analysis

For the following function

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

I know that the partials $f_x$ and $f_y$ both exist at the point $(0,0)$, namely $f_x(0,0)=0$ and $f_y(0,0)=0$. I also know that this function $f(x,y)$ is not continuous at the origin and hence it is also not differentiable at the origin.

Thus, I want to conclude that the partials must not be continuous at the origin $(0,0)$, via the the contrapositive of the differentiability theorem, which states that if all the partial derivatives of a function both exist and are continuous at a point, then that function is differentiable at that point.

However, the source for this problem says that this function $f(x,y)$ is an example of a function whose partials both exist and are continuous at $(0,0)$, but where the function is also not differentiable at $(0,0)$.

So I am confused as to whether this source contains an error or my logic surrounding the differentiability theorem is erroneous.

In review, my question is basically if the partials $f_x$ and $f_y$ for the above given $f(x,y)$ are actually continuous at the origin $(0,0)$ or whether they are discontinuous at the origin. Thanks in advance.

If it helps I will attach an image of the source of this problem:

This is the source of my confusion

Best Answer

The source contains an error. The partial derivative w.r.t $x$ is $\frac {y^{3}-x^{2}y} {(x^{2}+y^{2})^{2}}$ which does not even have a limit along the $y-$ axis.

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