Absolute Max Min Problem on Region Bounded by x = \sqrt{1-y^2}, y=x, and y=0

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Homework Help Overview

The discussion revolves around finding the absolute maximum and minimum of the function f(x,y) = x^2 + 2xy - y^2 on the region bounded by the curves x = √(1-y^2), y = x, and y = 0. Participants are exploring methods to analyze critical points and evaluate the function within the specified region.

Discussion Character

  • Mixed

Approaches and Questions Raised

  • Participants discuss using Lagrange Multipliers and parametric equations to analyze the boundaries of the region. There are attempts to substitute values and find critical points, with some participants expressing confusion about the correct substitutions and methods to use.

Discussion Status

There is ongoing exploration of different approaches, including parametrization of the unit circle and checking endpoints. Some participants are revisiting their earlier calculations and seeking clarification on their reasoning, indicating a productive dialogue but no explicit consensus on the final values.

Contextual Notes

Some participants mention that Lagrange Multipliers were not covered in their course, leading to alternative suggestions. There are also references to potential errors in earlier calculations and the need for consistency checks among different curves.

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Homework Statement


Find the absolute maximum and the absolute minimum of the function,

f(x,y) = x^2 + 2xy - y^2

on the region bounded by, x = \sqrt{1-y^2},y=x \text{ and } y=0

Homework Equations





The Attempt at a Solution



See figure attached for my attempt.

Everything seems to be going fine until I get to the point where I have to find critical points on the edge of C3.

I can't think of what I should be substituting into the function. I tried,

y^{2} = 1 - x^{2}

but I still end up with nasty square roots in my new function.

Any ideas?
 

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Use Lagrange Multipliers on the boundaries.
 
Lagrange Multipliers were not covered in my course. My professor recommended I use trig functions for the edge C3 but I'm still not seeing it.

Can someone nudge me in the right direction?
 
jegues said:
Lagrange Multipliers were not covered in my course. My professor recommended I use trig functions for the edge C3 but I'm still not seeing it.

Can someone nudge me in the right direction?

You can parametrize the unit circle using x=cos(t), y=sin(t).
 
Dick said:
You can parametrize the unit circle using x=cos(t), y=sin(t).

Okay so,

x = cos(t), y=sin(t) \text{ then,}

p(t) = cos(2t) + sin(2t)<br />

\text{So,}

<br /> p&#039;(t) = -2sin(2t) + 2cos(2t) = 0<br />

From here we obtain,

t = \frac{tan^{-1}(\frac{1}{2})}{2}

I'm stuck again now.

How do I go from here? I need to get the actual value of this so I can see how big it is in order to classify it.

EDIT: Since,

tan(2t) = 1/2

I can draw a equilateral triangle and get the values for

cos(2t),sin(2t)

and plug them into p(t)

giving me \frac{3}{\sqrt{5}} as a critical point on the edge of C3.

Is this correct?

I can also consider the endpoints of C3, i.e.

p(0) = 2, p(\frac{\pi}{2}) = -2

Can I conclude that absolute max/min's in the region R are z=2 and z= -2?
 
Last edited:
jegues said:
Okay so,

x = cos(t), y=sin(t) \text{ then,}

p(t) = cos(2t) + sin(2t)<br />

\text{So,}

<br /> p&#039;(t) = -2sin(2t) + 2cos(2t) = 0<br />

From here we obtain,

t = \frac{tan^{-1}(\frac{1}{2})}{2}

I'm stuck again now.

How do I go from here? I need to get the actual value of this so I can see how big it is in order to classify it.

EDIT: Since,

tan(2t) = 1/2

I can draw a equilateral triangle and get the values for

cos(2t),sin(2t)

and plug them into p(t)

giving me \frac{3}{\sqrt{5}} as a critical point on the edge of C3.

Is this correct?

I can also consider the endpoints of C3, i.e.

p(0) = 2, p(\frac{\pi}{2}) = -2

Can I conclude that absolute max/min's in the region R are z=2 and z= -2?

I get tan(2t)=1 for a critical point. And the endpoints of t for C3 are t=0 and t=pi/4, aren't they? That makes p(0)=1 and p(pi/4)=(-1), which it should be if you look at C1 and C2. You've got the right ideas, but you are scrambling some stuff up.
 
Dick said:
I get tan(2t)=1 for a critical point. And the endpoints of t for C3 are t=0 and t=pi/4, aren't they? That makes p(0)=1 and p(pi/4)=(-1), which it should be if you look at C1 and C2. You've got the right ideas, but you are scrambling some stuff up.

Thanks for helping me clear things up Dick.

Due to all my little mistakes I decided to redo the entire problem from the start again.

Here are my results/work. (See figure attached)

Do things look better this time?

EDIT: ***NOTE***: The conclusion I made at the bottom of the first page should really be at the bottom of the second page.
 

Attachments

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jegues said:
Thanks for helping me clear things up Dick.

Due to all my little mistakes I decided to redo the entire problem from the start again.

Here are my results/work. (See figure attached)

Do things look better this time?

EDIT: ***NOTE***: The conclusion I made at the bottom of the first page should really be at the bottom of the second page.

Better, but still sloppy errors. Try and at least do a consistency check between your curves, h(1) should be equal to p(0) and g(1) should be equal to p(pi/4), right? (I would also check if 1 is the correct value to substitute into g(x) to get the endpoint). Can you figure out what's causing them to disagree? (One thing to watch out for is if you are trying to find the value of f(a) DON'T substitute a into f'(x), substitute it into f(x)!).
 
Dick said:
Better, but still sloppy errors. Try and at least do a consistency check between your curves, h(1) should be equal to p(0) and g(1) should be equal to p(pi/4), right? (I would also check if 1 is the correct value to substitute into g(x) to get the endpoint). Can you figure out what's causing them to disagree? (One thing to watch out for is if you are trying to find the value of f(a) DON'T substitute a into f'(x), substitute it into f(x)!).

Okay I can see now that something is wrong since my end points on each curve are not in agreement so I'm going to try to work things out piece by piece.

First,

I would also check if 1 is the correct value to substitute into g(x) to get the endpoint

Okay so,

g(x) = 2x^{2}

Since g(x) is always positive in the region R, g reaches at maximum at the maximum value of x in R on C1.

This x value should be at, \frac{1}{\sqrt{2}} not 1.

So, g(\frac{1}{\sqrt{2}}) = \framebox{1}

One thing to watch out for is if you are trying to find the value of f(a) DON'T substitute a into f'(x), substitute it into f(x)

Whoops! I see what I did wrong now,

p(0) = \framebox{1},p(\frac{\pi}{4}) = \framebox{1}

Things are looking better now I hope.
 
  • #10
jegues said:
Okay I can see now that something is wrong since my end points on each curve are not in agreement so I'm going to try to work things out piece by piece.

First,



Okay so,

g(x) = 2x^{2}

Since g(x) is always positive in the region R, g reaches at maximum at the maximum value of x in R on C1.

This x value should be at, \frac{1}{\sqrt{2}} not 1.

So, g(\frac{1}{\sqrt{2}}) = \framebox{1}



Whoops! I see what I did wrong now,

p(0) = \framebox{1},p(\frac{\pi}{4}) = \framebox{1}

Things are looking better now I hope.

Much better. I think all that's left is stating the conclusion about absolute max and min.
 
  • #11
Dick said:
Much better. I think all that's left is stating the conclusion about absolute max and min.

The absolute max should be when z=2 and absolute min when z=0.

Is it necessary to state the x and y values as well when making this conclusion?
 
Last edited:
  • #12
jegues said:
The absolute max should be when z=2 and absolute min when z=0.

Is it necessary to state the x and y values as well when making this conclusion?

I would definitely do that since I don't see any (x,y) point where f(x,y)=2 on C1, C2 or C3. Do you? Now I think you are forgetting you changed your mind about some earlier answers you gave. That's kind of annoying. Are you just looking at this stuff once a day and forgetting everything that came before?
 
  • #13
Dick said:
I would definitely do that since I don't see any (x,y) point where f(x,y)=2 on C1, C2 or C3. Do you? Now I think you are forgetting you changed your mind about some earlier answers you gave. That's kind of annoying. Are you just looking at this stuff once a day and forgetting everything that came before?

Whoops! I guess looking at work that is incorrect isn't a good idea.

That max should be when f(x,y) = 1.
 
  • #14
jegues said:
Whoops! I guess looking at work that is incorrect isn't a good idea.

That max should be when f(x,y) = 1.

Didn't you once upon a time find an (x,y) point where f(x,y)=sqrt(2)? I really recall that pretty distinctly. Uh, yes, discard old work. Or at least correct it. Sheesh. I think you deleted it from the problem thread. Wasn't it along C3 where tan(2*t)=1? You know, sloppiness is your enemy much more than actually having problems with knowing how to solve these things. Ok, it's still in the blurry thumbnail in post 7.
 

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