Finding minimum for an equation with two variables

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Homework Help Overview

The discussion revolves around finding the minimum value of the equation x^2 + 2xy + 5y^2 - 4x - 6y + 7, with participants attempting to manipulate the expression and complete the square. There is a reference to a solution from an answer book that participants are trying to reconcile with their own findings.

Discussion Character

  • Exploratory, Problem interpretation, Assumption checking

Approaches and Questions Raised

  • Participants are exploring different algebraic manipulations, particularly focusing on completing the square. There are questions about the validity of certain transformations and whether the provided answer aligns with the problem statement.

Discussion Status

Some participants are actively questioning the assumptions behind their algebraic steps and the interpretation of the problem. There is a lack of consensus on the correct approach, with some participants expressing confusion about the minimum value and the wording of the problem itself.

Contextual Notes

There are indications of potential misinterpretations of the problem statement, as one participant requests the exact wording from the text. Additionally, there is a note of a specific transformation that is being challenged for its correctness.

Hivoyer
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Homework Statement



I have the equation: x^2 + 2*x*y + 5*y^2 - 4*x - 6*y +7 and I have to find the minimum value
I'm getting something that looks half like the correct answer, but not quite right...

Homework Equations



The answer from the answer book is:

[x + 2*(y - 1)]^2 + (y + 1)^2 + 2

The Attempt at a Solution



Ok first I took 2*x*y and -4*x and turned them into 4*x*(y - 1), so I got:

x^2 + 4*x*(y - 1) + 5*y^2 - 6*y + 7

Then I turned x^2 + 4*x*(y - 1) into a square: [(x + 2*(y - 1)]^2 and subtracted [2*(y - 1)]^2, which is 4*(y - 1)^2 to balance it out, so I got:

[x + 2*(y - 1)]^2 - 4*(y - 1)^2 + 5*y^2 - 6*y + 7

However when I complete the square for the other part I get:

[x + 2*(y - 1)]^2 - 4*(y - 1)^2 + 5*[(y - 3)^2 - 9] + 7

when then gives me:

[x + 2*(y - 1)]^2 - 4*(y - 1)^2 + 5*(y - 3)^2 - 38

and this is not what the answer in the answer book I've written above is.Where did I go wrong?
 
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Hivoyer said:

Homework Statement



I have the equation: x^2 + 2*x*y + 5*y^2 - 4*x - 6*y +7 and I have to find the minimum value
I'm getting something that looks half like the correct answer, but not quite right...

Homework Equations



The answer from the answer book is:

[x + 2*(y - 1)]^2 + (y + 1)^2 + 2

That doesn't look like a "minimum value" of anything. Please give the exact wording of the problem from your text.
 
LCKurtz said:
That doesn't look like a "minimum value" of anything. Please give the exact wording of the problem from your text.

Here is the problem from the book(part (c) in the red rectangle):
a3bd5adaf8a79c6b.png


Here is the solution of (c) from the answer book(again surrounded in red):
cd25dbf3ab519614.png
 
Hivoyer said:

Homework Statement



I have the equation: x^2 + 2*x*y + 5*y^2 - 4*x - 6*y +7 and I have to find the minimum value
I'm getting something that looks half like the correct answer, but not quite right...

Homework Equations



The answer from the answer book is:

[x + 2*(y - 1)]^2 + (y + 1)^2 + 2

The Attempt at a Solution



Ok first I took 2*x*y and -4*x and turned them into 4*x*(y - 1),

##2xy-4x\ne 4x(y-1)##
 

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