Finding extreme values by partial differentiation.

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Homework Help Overview

The discussion revolves around finding extreme values of the function g(x,y) = (x-1)(y-1)(x² + y² - 2) using partial differentiation. Participants are exploring the critical points derived from the partial derivatives.

Discussion Character

  • Exploratory, Assumption checking, Problem interpretation

Approaches and Questions Raised

  • The original poster attempts to find critical points by setting the partial derivatives to zero, resulting in three identified points but questioning the existence of additional solutions. Other participants discuss the system of equations derived from the partial derivatives and explore the implications of their solutions.

Discussion Status

Participants are actively engaging with the problem, with some providing insights into the equations involved and questioning the completeness of the original poster's findings. There is a recognition of multiple solutions, and the discussion is focused on clarifying the reasoning behind these solutions.

Contextual Notes

There is mention of a discrepancy between the original poster's findings and those listed in an answer sheet, prompting questions about potential missing methods or assumptions in the problem setup.

toreil
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Homework Statement


I sat my calculus exam at the end of june and of the questions on the paper required us to find the extreme values of the following equation:

g\left(x,y\right) = \left(x-1\right)\left(y-1\right)\left(x^{2} + y^{2} -2\right)

The Attempt at a Solution


So i get:

\frac{\partial g}{\partial x} = 0 = \left(y-1\right)\left(3x^{2}-2x+y^{2} -2\right)

\frac{\partial g}{\partial y} = 0 = \left(x-1\right)\left(3y^{2}-2y+x^{2} -2\right)

From this I get 3 critical points \left(1,1\right), \left(1,-1\right), \left(-1,1\right).

However in the answer sheet there are three more, but for the life of me I can't figure out how to get them. Is there a special trick that I'm missing out on? Any help would be much appreciated!

Final 3 points are included below for those who want to know them

\left(-\frac{1}{2},-\frac{1}{2}\right)
\left(\frac{1}{2}-\frac{1}{\sqrt[]{2}},\frac{1}{2}+\frac{1}{\sqrt[]{2}}\right)
\left(\frac{1}{2}+\frac{1}{\sqrt[]{2}},\frac{1}{2}-\frac{1}{\sqrt[]{2}}\right)
 
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The other solutions come from the system of equations

3x2-2x+y^2-2=0 and 3y2-2y+x^2-2=0.

ehild
 
That's what I assumed to be the case, but unless I am doing something wrong I end up with

\left(x-\frac{1}{2}\right)^2 - \left(y-\frac{1}{2}\right)^2 = 0

So the point is \left(\frac{1}{2},\frac{1}{2}\right)

Thanks for the quick reply though!
 
toreil said:
That's what I assumed to be the case, but unless I am doing something wrong I end up with

\left(x-\frac{1}{2}\right)^2 - \left(y-\frac{1}{2}\right)^2 = 0

So the point is \left(\frac{1}{2},\frac{1}{2}\right)

Thanks for the quick reply though!

How did you solve \displaystyle \left(x-\frac{1}{2}\right)^2 - \left(y-\frac{1}{2}\right)^2 = 0\,? There are more solutions than you gave.
\displaystyle \left(x-\frac{1}{2}\right)^2 = \left(y-\frac{1}{2}\right)^2

taking the square root of both sides gives:
\displaystyle \left(x-\frac{1}{2}\right) = \pm\left(y-\frac{1}{2}\right)
Can you solve that. The solution set is the union of two lines.
 
Wow yeah thanks, need to brush up on my more basic maths again I think. Thanks for the help from both of you! That question has been bugging me for a few weeks now =P.
 

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