MHB Maxima and Minima (vector calculus)

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The discussion centers on the function f(x, y) = (x^2 + y^2)e^{-(x^2 + y^2)}, with a focus on identifying a local maximum on the unit circle defined by x^2 + y^2 = 1. The author questions the visual interpretation of the graph that suggests a local maximum exists at this point. Additionally, there is interest in how to plot this function using software like R, GNU Octave, or graphing calculators, emphasizing the simplicity of plotting it due to the form of the function. The conversation also touches on the cylindrical coordinates representation and the implications of rotating the graph around the y-axis. Understanding these aspects is crucial for analyzing the behavior of the function in vector calculus.
WMDhamnekar
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Hi, Hi,

Author said If we look at the graph of $ f (x, y)= (x^2 +y^2)*e^{-(x^2+y^2)},$ as shown in the following Figure it looks like we might have a local maximum for (x, y) on the unit circle $ x^2 + y^2 = 1.$

1649834173266.png
But when I read this graph, I couldn't guess that the stated function have a local maximum on the unit circle $ x^2 + y^2=1$

1)I want to know what did author grasp in the above figure which compelled him to make the aforesaid statement?

2) How to plot this function in 'R' or in 'GNU OCTAVE' or in any graphing calculator ? Is it easy to plot $f(x,y)= (x^2+y^2)*e^{-(x^2+y^2)} ?$
 
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Do you notice that the only way x and y appear in that function is as "$x^2+y^2$"? In cylindrical coordinates we can write it as $f(r,\theta)= r^2e^{-r^2}$. If we write it as $y= x^2e^{x^2}$ its graph looks like this: <iframe src="https://www.desmos.com/calculator/oj7v5yfd0f?embed" width="500" height="500" style="border: 1px solid #ccc" frameborder=0></iframe>

Do you see what happens at x= 1 and x= -1? Imagine rotating that around the y-axis.
 
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