# Use Lagrange's method to find maximum.

1. Feb 7, 2015

### MechanicalBrank

1. The problem statement, all variables and given/known data
Let u = ∂f/∂x and v = ∂f/∂y. Use Lagrange's method to set up the equations necessary for finding the maxium of u^2 + v^2.

2. Relevant equations

3. The attempt at a solution
I know how to minimize and maximize a function that's a subject to another one. I'm not quite sure what the subject is in this case, pointers would be helpful.

2. Feb 7, 2015

### Ray Vickson

So, do I understand correctly that you want to maximize the function
$$F(x,y) = \left(\frac{\partial f(x,y)}{\partial x}\right)^2 + \left(\frac{\partial f(x,y)}{\partial y}\right)^2 \; ?$$
If so, are you given any more information about the function $f$, because as it stands, the problem is not particularly well-posed: it is possible to give functions $f$ for which your $F(x,y)$ has no maximum---not even any local maxima.

However, assuming the problem is well-posed, you can proceed in two ways: (i) directly, from the formula for $F$; and (ii) using the conditions $g_1(x,y,u,v) \equiv u - \partial f /\partial x = 0$ and $g_2(x,y,u,v) \equiv v - \partial f/ \partial y = 0$ as constraints in the optimization of $h(x,y,u,v) = u^2 + v^2$ (with $h$ happening to not actually depend on $x,y$ at all!). That is where you could use the Lagrange multiplier method.

3. Feb 7, 2015

### MechanicalBrank

You have understood correctly. The problem asks to find the general equations for finding any potential maxima. I guess it means that they want me to create a general system of equations that would find the maxima if we were given a function. There's a subproblem after this one where they ask to find the maxima for a few given functions (sinx+siny and sinx*siny) using the method from the first problem.