Finding local extremes from stationary points

  • Thread starter Thread starter goatsebear
  • Start date Start date
  • Tags Tags
    Local Points
Click For Summary

Homework Help Overview

The discussion revolves around finding stationary points and local extreme values of the function f(x,y) = xy^2e^-(x^2 + y^2)/2. Participants are exploring the necessary steps to determine critical points and analyze their nature using second partial derivatives.

Discussion Character

  • Exploratory, Mathematical reasoning, Problem interpretation

Approaches and Questions Raised

  • Participants discuss finding the gradient and setting it to zero to identify critical points. There are attempts to derive the second partial derivatives and evaluate them at the critical points. Questions arise regarding the correctness of calculations and the treatment of specific cases, such as when y equals zero.

Discussion Status

The discussion is ongoing, with participants sharing their findings on critical points and second derivatives. Some guidance has been offered regarding how to handle specific cases, but there is no explicit consensus on the correctness of the calculations or the next steps.

Contextual Notes

Participants are working under the constraints of homework rules, which may limit the amount of direct assistance they can provide to one another. There is a focus on ensuring that all calculations are verified and understood before proceeding.

goatsebear
Messages
13
Reaction score
0

Homework Statement



Find the stationary points and local extreme values of f(x,y) = xy^2e^-(\frac{x^2 + y^2)}{2}

Homework Equations


You need to find the gradient for the function and then set it equal to 0. So then df/dy equals df/dx and you can solve for a solution set.

The Attempt at a Solution


df/dx = y^2(-x^2 + 1)*e^-(\frac{x^2 + y^2)}{2}

df/dy = y*x(-y^2 + 2)*e^-(\frac{x^2 + y^2)}{2}

So since e^-(\frac{x^2 + y^2)}{2} cannot equal zero, y^2(-x^2 + 1) = 0
and y*x(-y^2 + 2) = 0

So then, y^2(-x^2 + 1) goes to y^2 - x^2y^2 = 0 and then \pm1 = x

Plugging this into the dy/dx equation gives me the following x, y critical points
(0,0) (1,-\sqrt{2}) (1, -\sqrt{2}) (-1, \sqrt{2}) (-1, \sqrt{-2})

So then to find out if they are max or mins or saddle points, I solve for the second partials of fx, fy, fxy

fxx=A = x(-1 + 2y^2 - x^2y^2) * e^-(\frac{x^2 + y^2)}{2}

fyy=C = y(x - 2y + 3yx) * e^-(\frac{x^2 + y^2)}{2}

fxy=B = y(2- 2x^2 + y^2 = Y2x^2) * e^-(\frac{x^2 + y^2)}{2}Now I use the equation D = AC - B^2

Can someone check my math out? It seems that something is wrong somewhere. I know this is a huge problem so thanks for any help.
 
Last edited:
Physics news on Phys.org
The critical points are:
(x, 0) for any x
(-1, -sqrt 2)
(-1, sqrt 2)
(1, -sqrt 2)
(1, sqrt 2)

In each 2nd order derivative, the polynomial term should simplify to:
x(-3 + x^2)y^2 ... for "xx"
x(2 - 5 y^2 + y^4) ... for "yy"
y(-1 + x^2)(-2 + y^2) ... for "xy"
 
Last edited:
So I was mostly right other than that being (x,0). Now I just plug those points in for x and y in that D = AC - B^2 right? How would I do that with the (x,0) point?
 
Plug in y = 0, leave x as x.
 

Similar threads

Replies
4
Views
3K
  • · Replies 2 ·
Replies
2
Views
2K
  • · Replies 5 ·
Replies
5
Views
2K
  • · Replies 14 ·
Replies
14
Views
2K
  • · Replies 10 ·
Replies
10
Views
2K
  • · Replies 18 ·
Replies
18
Views
3K
Replies
3
Views
2K
  • · Replies 4 ·
Replies
4
Views
2K
  • · Replies 6 ·
Replies
6
Views
2K
Replies
4
Views
2K