Finding the critical point and its nature. With solid attempt

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SUMMARY

The discussion focuses on finding critical points of the function f(x, y) = xy² - 2xy - 2x² - 3x + 7 and determining their nature. The critical points are derived by solving the equations fx = 0 and fy = 0, leading to the identification of points (0, 1), (0, -1), (0, 3), and (-1, 1). The second derivative test is recommended for analyzing the nature of these points. Additionally, the discussion transitions to another function, f(x, y) = y sin x + cos x, where critical points are found to be (nπ, 0) for all integers n.

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  • Understanding of partial derivatives and critical points
  • Familiarity with the second derivative test for functions of two variables
  • Knowledge of trigonometric functions and their derivatives
  • Ability to solve equations involving sine and cosine functions
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  • Study the second derivative test for functions of two variables
  • Learn about the implications of critical points in multivariable calculus
  • Explore the behavior of functions with trigonometric components
  • Investigate the classification of critical points based on Hessian determinants
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tamintl
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Finding the critical point and its nature. With solid attempt!

Homework Statement



Find all critical points of the function

f(x, y) = xy2 - 2xy - 2x2 - 3x +7

and determine their nature.

Homework Equations



none

The Attempt at a Solution



I know that to find the critical points you must set fx = 0 and fy=0

Doing this I get:fx = -4x + y2 - 2y - 3 = 0

and

fy = 2xy - 2x = 0

Thus, fx = fy

-4x + y2 -2y - 3 = 0

-4x + (y+1)(y-3) = 0

I don't really know how to proceed? Any help would be great.
 
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Factor the fy equation first. What conclusions can you draw from that?
 


Dick said:
Factor the fy equation first. What conclusions can you draw from that?

fy = 2xy - 2x = 2x(y-1)

Thus, x=0 and y=1

SO, critical point is (0,1)...

So is that the only critical point or do I sub this back into fx to get another?

Thanks Dick!
 


tamintl said:
fy = 2xy - 2x = 2x(y-1)

Thus, x=0 and y=1

SO, critical point is (0,1)...

So is that the only critical point or do I sub this back into fx to get another?

Thanks Dick!

Careful! 2x(y-1)=0 if x=0 OR y=1. Not necessarily both. Put those two possibilities back into fx and see what happens.
 


Dick said:
Careful! 2x(y-1)=0 if x=0 OR y=1. Not necessarily both. Put those two possibilities back into fx and see what happens.

Silly me!

Okay subbing back into fx gives me: (0,-1), (0,3), (-1,1)

Assuming these are correct do I now find fxx, fyy, and fxy
to determine the nature (using theorem) ??

On a side note how do you find fxy? I'm confused about that particular instance.

Thanks Dick! I really appreciate your help
 


tamintl said:
Silly me!

Okay subbing back into fx gives me: (0,-1), (0,3), (-1,1)

Assuming these are correct do I now find fxx, fyy, and fxy
to determine the nature (using theorem) ??

On a side note how do you find fxy? I'm confused about that particular instance.

Thanks Dick! I really appreciate your help

Sure, now use the second derivative test on those three critical points. fxy isn't hard to to find, just take your fx and differentiate with respect to y, OR take fy and differentiate with respect to x. You'll get the same thing.
 


Dick said:
Sure, now use the second derivative test on those three critical points. fxy isn't hard to to find, just take your fx and differentiate with respect to y, OR take fy and differentiate with respect to x. You'll get the same thing.

Got it thanks!

Now I have anther question:

Find all critical points of the function: f(x, y) = y sin x + cos x and determine their nature.

So we have fx = ycosx - sinx and fy = sinx

hence, for

fx we have y = sinx/cosx = tanx

and

fy we have sinx = 0

Therefore we have x=0... when we sub this into y=tanx we get y=0

Hence critical point is (0,0)

Would this be reasonable?

Regards
 


tamintl said:
Got it thanks!

Now I have anther question:

Find all critical points of the function: f(x, y) = y sin x + cos x and determine their nature.

So we have fx = ycosx - sinx and fy = sinx

hence, for

fx we have y = sinx/cosx = tanx

and

fy we have sinx = 0

Therefore we have x=0... when we sub this into y=tanx we get y=0

Hence critical point is (0,0)

Would this be reasonable?

Regards

x=0 isn't the only solution to sin(x)=0. What are the others?
 


∏, 2∏

Now what :/

edit: x=∏(n) for all n ε Z
 
  • #10


tamintl said:
∏, 2∏

Now what :/

edit: x=∏(n) for all n ε Z

Put x=pi*n into fx. What does that tell you about y?
 
  • #11


Dick said:
Put x=pi*n into fx. What does that tell you about y?

As you put it into fx, sinx = 0... therefore you have fx = -y for odd n and fx = y for even n..

Hence y=0 again for x=n*∏

?
 
  • #12


tamintl said:
As you put it into fx, sinx = 0... therefore you have fx = -y for odd n and fx = y for even n..

Hence y=0 again for x=n*∏

?

Fine. So your critical points are (-pi,0), (0,0), (pi,0), (2pi,0)... right? (n*pi,0) where n is any integer.
 
Last edited:

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