Another Absolute Maximum Question

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Homework Help Overview

The problem involves finding the maximum value of the function f(x, y) = x² - y² + x within a specified region bounded by the curve x = √(1 - y²) and x = 0. The original poster expresses uncertainty regarding the correct interpretation of the bounded region, questioning whether it is the left or right half of the circle represented by the curve.

Discussion Character

  • Exploratory, Assumption checking

Approaches and Questions Raised

  • The original poster attempts to identify critical points within the region and along its edges but is unsure about the correct region to consider. They express confusion about the boundary and the implications of the derivative being positive.

Discussion Status

Participants are engaging in clarifying the interpretation of the problem, particularly regarding the bounded region. Some guidance has been offered about the nature of the boundary and the implications of the derivative, but there is still exploration of the standard procedures for finding critical points.

Contextual Notes

The discussion includes references to the original poster's attempts to apply standard procedures for finding maximum values, highlighting a potential difference in approach due to the nature of the region defined by the curve.

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Homework Statement


Find the maximum value of the function f(x, y) = x^{2} - y^{2} + x considering only points inside and on the boundary of the region bounded by the curve,

x = \sqrt{1-y^{2}}, x=0

Homework Equations





The Attempt at a Solution



See figure attached for my attempt.

I drew a quick sketch of the region given and I've found it to be a circle with a vertical line passing through its center. That being said, I didn't know what "half" of the circle was my enclosed region. Is it the left half or the right half? How do you distinguish this?

I continued working while only considering the "right half" as my region.

I found the critical points inside my region and continued to look for critical points along the edges of my region.

I labeled these accordingly, C1 and C2.

I still haven't obtained the correct answer of 2, so I'm not entirely sure what I've done wrong.

Could someone help me out?
 

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hi jegues! :smile:
jegues said:
… I didn't know what "half" of the circle was my enclosed region. Is it the left half or the right half?

you haven't read the question carefully enough :redface:

√ means the positive square root (or zero), so it has to be the right-hand half! :wink:
I found the critical points inside my region and continued to look for critical points along the edges of my region.

you were ok up to h' = 4x + 1 …

since that's always positive (in the region), h reaches a maximum at the maximum boundary of x :smile:
 
tiny-tim said:
hi jegues! :smile:


you haven't read the question carefully enough :redface:

√ means the positive square root (or zero), so it has to be the right-hand half! :wink:


you were ok up to h' = 4x + 1 …

since that's always positive (in the region), h reaches a maximum at the maximum boundary of x :smile:

I'm not entirely sure what you mean by maximum boundary of x.

Do you mean the largest value of x I can obtain in the region provided? That would simply be x=1.

Therefore h(1) = 2, which would correspond to my absolute max, correct?
 
Yup! :biggrin:
 
Why is this different then the standard procedure when checking for critical points along the edge of a region?

I'm used to having to take a derivative and equate it to 0 in order to figure out my point of interest.

What makes this different?
 
hi jegues! :smile:

(just got up :zzz: …)
jegues said:
Why is this different then the standard procedure when checking for critical points along the edge of a region?

I'm used to having to take a derivative and equate it to 0 in order to figure out my point of interest.

What makes this different?

It isn't different …

you equate the derivative to zero along the semi-circle boundary …

(if there's a solution, then of course that's your solution, but if there isn't a zero, then …)

with no zero, the solution must be at the boundary of the semi-circle boundary …

looking at it, you'd say the boundary is the two points on the y-axis, but that's wrong because the derivative was wrt x, and x goes from 0 to 1, so the boundary is at x = 0 or 1 :wink:

(and since the derivative wrt x is positive, the maximum must be at x = 1)
 

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