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In Clairaut's theorem based on equality of mixed second order partial derivatives, in some books the hypothesis is: if $f_{xy}$ and $f_{yx}$ are defined in a disk around $(x_o,y_o)$ and they are continuous at $(x_o,y_o)$, then $f_{xy}(x_o,y_o)=f_{yx}(x_o,y_o)$. While some books say that if $f_{xy}$ and $f_{yx}$ are continuous throughout an open disk around $(x_o,y_o)$, then $f_{xy}(x_o,y_o)=f_{yx}(x_o,y_o)$. Can anyone suggest that whether the continuity of the two mixed partials at the point enough to conclude the equality of the two. I have gone through the proof but towards the last they just say that the iterated limits are equal and hence $f_{xy}(x_o,y_o)=f_{yx}(x_o,y_o).$

Please explain.

Thanks.

Mini_me
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akansha
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  • See https://math.stackexchange.com/questions/98514/existence-of-mixed-partials-in-clairauts-theorem for an even stronger statement. – Hans Lundmark Aug 26 '17 at 08:57

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