Unbounded Feasible Region for Lagrange with Two Constraints

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Kaura
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Homework Statement



Printed textbook problem 10: Find the maximum and the minimum values of f(x, y, z) = x^2 + y^2 + z^2 subject to the constraints x + y + z = 1 and x + 2y + 3z = 6 (Hint: use Lagrange multiplier method.)


Homework Equations



Partials for main equation equal the respective partials of the constraints with their multipliers

The Attempt at a Solution



Handwritten Lagrange multiplier solution for f(x,y,z) = x^2 + y^2 + z^2 with constraints x+y+z=1 and x+2y+3z=6, showing gradient equations, solved values x = -5/3, y = 1/3, z = 7/3, and f = 25/3.


Basically I am checking to see if this is correct
I am pretty sure that 25/3 is the minimum but I am not sure how to find the maximum
The max an min at the bottom can be ignored or replaced with minimum
I have a lot to do today to prepare for midterms so any help would be much appreciated
 
Kaura said:

Homework Statement



Photo of a printed worksheet page showing the partly visible inequality (x+y+z)^2 <= 3(x^2+y^2+z^2) with a square root bound, and problem 10: Find the maximum and minimum values of f(x, y, z) = x^2 + y^2 + z^2 subject to the constraints x + y + z = 1 and x + 2y + 3z = 6, with a hint to use the Lagrange multiplier method. Problem 10 is circled.


Homework Equations



Partials for main equation equal the respective partials of the constraints with their multipliers

The Attempt at a Solution



Handwritten Lagrange multiplier solution for f(x,y,z) = x^2 + y^2 + z^2 with constraints x+y+z=1 and x+2y+3z=6, ending with f(-5/3, 1/3, 7/3) = 25/3 labeled max or min.


Basically I am checking to see if this is correct
I am pretty sure that 25/3 is the minimum but I am not sure how to find the maximum
The max an min at the bottom can be ignored or replaced with minimum
I have a lot to do today to prepare for midterms so any help would be much appreciated

Your final solution looks OK, but I did not check the rest because I generally do not look at solutions given as posted images.

You should think about why your solution method does not give you a maximum.
 
Last edited:
Kaura said:
So is 25/3 the only extrema and a minimum?
You tell me. But more importantly, what is the reason?
 
Ray Vickson said:
You tell me. But more importantly, what is the reason?

Yes? because the function is not bound and is continuous?
 
Last edited:
Kaura said:
Yes? because the function is not bound and is continuous?

Right, and because the feasible region (the set of allowed ##(x,y,z)## values) is unbounded. We can find feasible points ##(x,y,z)## with ##x,z \to -\infty,\: y \to +\infty## (and opposite); and of course, ##f \to +\infty## for such points.