Finding extreme values by partial differentiation.

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SUMMARY

The discussion focuses on finding extreme values of the function g(x,y) = (x-1)(y-1)(x² + y² - 2) using partial differentiation. The user successfully derived the first partial derivatives, resulting in critical points (1,1), (1,-1), and (-1,1). However, they struggled to identify three additional critical points, which were later revealed to be (-1/2,-1/2), (1/2 - 1/√2, 1/2 + 1/√2), and (1/2 + 1/√2, 1/2 - 1/√2). The additional solutions stem from solving the system of equations 3x² - 2x + y² - 2 = 0 and 3y² - 2y + x² - 2 = 0.

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  • Knowledge of solving systems of equations
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  • Learn about the second derivative test for classifying critical points
  • Explore the implications of critical points in multivariable functions
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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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