# Lagrange optimization: cylinder and plane intersects,

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1. Apr 17, 2016

### a255c

1. The problem statement, all variables and given/known data

The cylinder x^2 + y^2 = 1 intersects the plane x + z = 1 in an ellipse. Find the point on the ellipse furthest from the origin.

2. Relevant equations

$f(x) = x^2 + y^2 + z^2$

$h(x) = x^2 + y^2 = 1$

$g(x) = x + z = 1$

3. The attempt at a solution

$\langle 2x, 2y, 2z \rangle = \lambda\langle2x, 2y,0\rangle + \mu\langle1,0,1\rangle$

This results in the equations:

$2x = 2x\lambda + \mu$

$2y = 2y\lambda$

$2z = \mu$

Then $\lambda = 1$, then $2x = 2x + \mu$, then $0 = \mu$, so then $z = 0$.

Then $x + z = 1$, so $x = 1$.

And then $1^2 + y^2 = 1$, so $y = 0$, so then I conclude that the point where this ellipse is furthest from the origin is $(1,0,0)$.

This is wrong. The answer should be $(-1,0,2)$

2. Apr 17, 2016

### haruspex

You'll have a much better chance of replies if you fix up the Latex. You need to double the dollar signs, or if you don't want an equation on a line by itself replace the dollar sign with a double hash(#).

3. Apr 18, 2016

### Ray Vickson

The equation $2y = 2y \lambda$ implies either $\lambda = 1$ or $y = 0$.

Note how my LaTeX comes out properly, unlike yours. That is because I used "# # ... # #", but with no space between the two #'s at the start and the end. Had I used $...$ instead it would have come out a mess, like yours. LaTeX/TeX works a bit differently on this Forum than it does in native form.