Maxima/Minima of extrema function f(x,y)=x

In summary, a maximum/minimum of a function is a point where the function reaches its highest/lowest value in a given domain. To find the maximum/minimum of a function algebraically, one can take the partial derivative, set it equal to zero, and use the second derivative test to determine if it is a maximum or minimum. There is a difference between local and global maxima/minima, with local points being within a small region and global points being in the entire domain. A function can have multiple maxima/minima, known as relative maxima/minima. These are used in real-world applications such as economics and physics to optimize processes and make predictions.
  • #1
RyanV
12
0

Homework Statement


Find the extrema of the function subject to the given constraint.

f (x, y) = x

x2 + 2y2 = 3


Homework Equations


det = fxx * fyy - (fxy)2
If det > 0,
fxx < 0 [tex]\Rightarrow[/tex] MAXIMUM
fxx > 0 [tex]\Rightarrow[/tex] MINIMUM

If det < 0,
[tex]\Rightarrow[/tex] SADDLE POINT

If det = 0m
Inconclusive

The Attempt at a Solution



I appear to be struggling with this maxima/minima stuff. Previous questions were just correct. I had to look at the book's answers to figure a way there. I seem to be missing something...but here is my attempt:

Since x2 + 2y2 = 3,

x = [tex]\pm[/tex][tex]\sqrt{3 - 2y2}[/tex]

Therefore,

f(x, y) = [tex]\pm[/tex][tex]\sqrt{3 - 2y2}[/tex]

At critical point,

[tex]\nabla[/tex] f = (0, - [tex]\frac{2y}{\sqrt{3 - 2y2}}[/tex] )

= (0, 0)


Therefore, equating gives

0 = 0

&

- [tex]\frac{2y}{\sqrt{3 - 2y2}}[/tex] = 0

So extrema points at ([tex]\sqrt{3}[/tex], 0) & (-[tex]\sqrt{3}[/tex], 0) since y = 0.


To find max/min/saddle, find det.

fxx = 0
fxy = 0

det = fxx * fyy - (fxy)2
det = 0 * fyy - (0)2
det = 0


Which is inconclusive. The book has ([tex]\sqrt{3}[/tex], 0) as a maximum and (-[tex]\sqrt{3}[/tex], 0) as a minimum.

I don't know what I'm missing out here...

Thanks in advance.
 
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  • #2
RyanV said:

Homework Statement


Find the extrema of the function subject to the given constraint.

f (x, y) = x

x2 + 2y2 = 3


Homework Equations


det = fxx * fyy - (fxy)2
If det > 0,
fxx < 0 [tex]\Rightarrow[/tex] MAXIMUM
fxx > 0 [tex]\Rightarrow[/tex] MINIMUM

If det < 0,
[tex]\Rightarrow[/tex] SADDLE POINT

If det = 0m
Inconclusive

The Attempt at a Solution



I appear to be struggling with this maxima/minima stuff. Previous questions were just correct. I had to look at the book's answers to figure a way there. I seem to be missing something...but here is my attempt:

Since x2 + 2y2 = 3,

x = [tex]\pm[/tex][tex]\sqrt{3 - 2y2}[/tex]
Tip: Don't mix [ sup] or [ sub] tags inside [ tex] tags. Instead use ^{} for exponents and _{} for subscripts.
RyanV said:
Therefore,

f(x, y) = [tex]\pm[/tex][tex]\sqrt{3 - 2y2}[/tex]

At critical point,

[tex]\nabla[/tex] f = (0, - [tex]\frac{2y}{\sqrt{3 - 2y2}}[/tex] )

= (0, 0)


Therefore, equating gives

0 = 0
I don't see how the equation above is helpful at all.
RyanV said:
&

- [tex]\frac{2y}{\sqrt{3 - 2y2}}[/tex] = 0

So extrema points at ([tex]\sqrt{3}[/tex], 0) & (-[tex]\sqrt{3}[/tex], 0) since y = 0.


To find max/min/saddle, find det.

fxx = 0
fxy = 0

det = fxx * fyy - (fxy)2
det = 0 * fyy - (0)2
det = 0


Which is inconclusive. The book has ([tex]\sqrt{3}[/tex], 0) as a maximum and (-[tex]\sqrt{3}[/tex], 0) as a minimum.

I don't know what I'm missing out here...

Thanks in advance.
What I think you are missing is some understanding of what f(x, y) = x looks like, which is a plane. Since a plane is a flat surface with no curvature, there are no dips or bumps. Also, since the domain of this plane is restricted to {(x, y) | x2 + 2y2 = 3}, any maximum or minimum points are attained at points the farthest away from the origin.
 
  • #3
Ohh...I see... I feel so silly ><

Thanks a lot for that.



If I may, I have another question regarding maxima and minima...

Homework Statement

Find local minima, maxima and saddle points of the function:

f(x, y) = (x2 + 3y2) e1-x2-y2


I started off finding the partial derivatives of x and y respectively and got:

fx = 2xe1-x2-y2 ( 1 - x2 - 3y2 )
fy = 2ye1-x2-y2 (3 - x2 - 3y2 )


At critical points, (fx, fy) = (0, 0)

Equating gives,

2xe1-x2-y2 ( 1 - x2 - 3y2 ) = 0 --- (1)
2ye1-x2-y2 (3 - x2 - 3y2 )= 0 --- (2)



After that I'm kinda lost...I slithered my way to get (0, 0) but very unconvincingly. I would rather have some solid reasoning as to why.

Like I mentioned earlier, I think I'm missing some understanding and maybe that's why I'm not getting this.

The answers give
Min at (0, 0),
max at (0, 1), (0, -1),
saddle at (-1, 0), (1, 0)

Thanks!
 
  • #4
RyanV said:
Homework Statement
Find local minima, maxima and saddle points of the function:

f(x, y) = (x2 + 3y2) e1-x2-y2I started off finding the partial derivatives of x and y respectively and got:

fx = 2xe1-x2-y2 ( 1 - x2 - 3y2 )
fy = 2ye1-x2-y2 (3 - x2 - 3y2 )


At critical points, (fx, fy) = (0, 0)

Equating gives,

2xe1-x2-y2 ( 1 - x2 - 3y2 ) = 0 --- (1)
2ye1-x2-y2 (3 - x2 - 3y2 )= 0 --- (2)
After that I'm kinda lost...I slithered my way to get (0, 0) but very unconvincingly. I would rather have some solid reasoning as to why.

Like I mentioned earlier, I think I'm missing some understanding and maybe that's why I'm not getting this.

The answers give
Min at (0, 0),
max at (0, 1), (0, -1),
saddle at (-1, 0), (1, 0)
When you have a product equal to 0, then one of the factors must be equal to 0. For instance, from this equation

[tex]2xe^{1-x^2-y^2}(1-x^2-3y^2) = 0[/tex]

you can conclude that x=0 or 1-x2-3y2=0. Similarly, the other equation gives you y=0 or 3-x2-3y2=0. Now you just have to find the solutions for all four possible combinations:

(1) x=0, y=0;
(2) x=0, 3-x2-3y2=0;
(3) y=0, 1-x2-3y2=0; and
(4) 1-x2-3y2=0, 3-x2-3y2=0.
 
  • #5
Ooo, I see now. I think I managed to confuse myself by using how for eq (1),

since x = 0,

1-x2-3y2=0
1 - 3y2 = 0

which is definitely not looking good in terms of the answers. But I understand now =)

One last thing, so for the 4th solution: (4) 1-x2-3y2=0, 3-x2-3y2=0.

There isn't a solution for this yeah? Since all the variables x/y cancel out.
 
  • #6
RyanV said:
Ooo, I see now. I think I managed to confuse myself by using how for eq (1),

since x = 0,

1-x2-3y2=0
1 - 3y2 = 0
Right idea, but wrong equation. That's the one that has to hold if y is 0 and x isn't 0.
One last thing, so for the 4th solution: (4) 1-x2-3y2=0, 3-x2-3y2=0.

There isn't a solution for this yeah? Since all the variables x/y cancel out.
Yup, that combination has no solutions.
 

1. What is the definition of a maximum/minimum of a function?

A maximum/minimum of a function is a point where the function reaches its highest/lowest value in a given domain. It can be considered as a peak or valley on a graph representing the function.

2. How do you find the maxima/minima of a function algebraically?

To find the maximum/minimum of a function algebraically, you can take the partial derivative of the function with respect to each variable and set them equal to zero. Then, solve the resulting equations to find the critical points. After that, you can use the second derivative test to determine if the critical points are maxima or minima.

3. What is the difference between a local and global maximum/minimum?

A local maximum/minimum is a point where the function reaches its highest/lowest value in a small region around that point. A global maximum/minimum is a point where the function reaches its highest/lowest value in the entire domain.

4. Can a function have more than one maximum/minimum?

Yes, a function can have multiple maxima/minima. These are called relative maxima/minima. They occur when the function changes from increasing to decreasing or vice versa.

5. How are maxima/minima used in real-world applications?

Maxima/minima are used in various fields such as economics, engineering, and physics to optimize processes and make predictions. For example, in economics, maxima/minima can be used to determine the highest profit or lowest cost for a company. In physics, they can be used to calculate the trajectory of a projectile.

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