Using lagrange mutilpliers when lamda has two values

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Discussion Overview

The discussion revolves around the application of Lagrange multipliers to find the minimum and maximum values of the function $${f (x, y) = x^2 + 2 y^2}$$ under the constraint $${x^2 + y^2 = 1}$$. Participants explore the implications of obtaining two values for the Lagrange multiplier, lambda, and the steps necessary to resolve the problem using this method.

Discussion Character

  • Technical explanation
  • Mathematical reasoning
  • Debate/contested

Main Points Raised

  • Some participants express confusion over obtaining two values for lambda and seek clarification on how to proceed from that point.
  • One participant suggests dropping the assumption that $xy \neq 0$ to simplify the problem.
  • Another participant argues that a simpler method exists that does not require Lagrange multipliers, proposing to express $f(x,y)$ in terms of a single variable.
  • A participant provides a detailed derivation involving the function $H(x,y,\lambda)$ and its partial derivatives, leading to conditions on $x$ and $\lambda$.
  • Some participants emphasize that the specific value of lambda is not essential to finding the solution and suggest eliminating it early in the process.
  • There is a discussion about the validity of dividing equations to eliminate lambda, with caution expressed regarding the conditions under which this division is valid.
  • Participants note that all derived solutions must satisfy the original constraint, and they identify the solutions that correspond to maximum and minimum values.
  • One participant introduces a new topic related to lambda calculus, seeking help on linked and free variables, which diverges from the main discussion.

Areas of Agreement / Disagreement

Participants do not reach a consensus on the necessity of using Lagrange multipliers versus alternative methods. There is also disagreement on the implications of the two values for lambda and how to handle them in the context of the problem.

Contextual Notes

Some participants highlight the importance of checking that each solution satisfies the original constraint, indicating that the discussion may involve assumptions about the behavior of the function under the given constraint.

hivesaeed4
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Consider $${f (x, y) = x^2 + 2 y^2}$$ subject to the constraint $${x^2 + y^2 = 1}$$.
What would be the minimun and the maximum values of the f.

Trouble is when I tried solving the problem lamda comes out to have two values 1 and 2 respectively. How do I proceed in order to get the answers?
 
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hivesaeed4 said:
Consider $${f (x, y) = x^2 + 2 y^2}$$ subject to the constraint $${x^2 + y^2 = 1}$$.
What would be the minimun and the maximum values of the f.

Trouble is when I tried solving the problem lamda comes out to have two values 1 and 2 respectively. How do I proceed in order to get the answers?



Two points:

1) You get two different values for lambda only if you assume [itex]\,\,xy\neq 0\,\,[/itex] . Drop this assumption.

2) Why Lagrange, anyway? You can do way easier, imo: [tex]x^2+y^2=1\Longrightarrow x^2=1-y^2\Longrightarrow f(x,y)=(1-y^2)+2y^2=y^2+1[/tex] and this last is an easy to check 1-variable function...!

DonAntonio
 
Thing is that I'm required to solve it using Lagrange multipliers.

Now, I'm confused about you saying that drop the assumption xy≠0.

Could you do me a favour and show your working. I reached the point where we get two values of lamda but after that am clueless.
 
hivesaeed4 said:
Thing is that I'm required to solve it using Lagrange multipliers.

Now, I'm confused about you saying that drop the assumption xy≠0.

Could you do me a favour and show your working. I reached the point where we get two values of lamda but after that am clueless.



Some people around here think I answer too much, or do homework, for some people. In your case I feel the same since you've

been asking a lot lately...

Anyway, I can show you a little, I guess: if you define [itex]\,\,H(x,y,\lambda):= x^2+2y^2-\lambda(x^2+y^2-1)\,\,[/itex] and calculate the partial derivatives, you get:

[itex]H_x=0\Longleftrightarrow x=\lambda x\Longrightarrow \,\,[/itex] either [itex]\,\,x=0\,,\,\,\,any\,\, \lambda\,\,[/itex] , or else [itex]\,\,x\neq 0\,\,,\,\,\lambda=1[/itex] ...

The same, of course, is for for the partial in y and etc.

DonAntonio
 
The reason I'm asking a lot lately is that I've got my calculus-II final exam coming up in a few days and currently am more than a little worried about it. Anyway thanks about the post.


P.s. "Some people around here think I answer too much, or do homework, for some people."

Just so you know, I sincerely appreciate all that you do.
 
Any value of [itex]\lambda[/itex] is not relevant to the solution and you should not even bother to evaluate it! The way I would do this is note that
[tex]\nabla x^2+ 2y^2= \lambda\nabla x^2+ y^2[/tex]
[tex]2x\vec{i}+ 4y\vec{j}= 2\lambda x\vec{i}+ 2\lambda y\vec{j}[/tex]
so that we have the two equations
[tex]2x= 2\lambda x[/tex]
[tex]4y= 2\lambda y[/tex]

Because a specific value of [itex]\lambda[/itex] is not a part of the solution, eliminate it first by dividing the first equation by the second:
[tex]\frac{2x}{4y}= \frac{2\lambda x}{2\lambda y}[/tex]
[tex]\frac{x}{2y}= \frac{x}{y}[/tex]

xy= 2xy which is equivalent to xy= 0. Either x= 0 or y= 0. If x= 0, [itex]x^2+ y^2= y^2= 1[/itex] so [itex]y= \pm 1[/itex]. If y= 0, [itex]x^2= 1[/itex] so [itex]x=\pm 1[/itex]. The four solutions are (0, 1), (0, -1), (1, 0), and (-1, 0).
 
HallsofIvy said:
Because a specific value of [itex]\lambda[/itex] is not a part of the solution, eliminate it first by dividing the first equation by the second:
[tex]\frac{2x}{4y}= \frac{2\lambda x}{2\lambda y}[/tex]
[tex]\frac{x}{2y}= \frac{x}{y}[/tex]

xy= 2xy which is equivalent to xy= 0. Either x= 0 or y= 0. If x= 0, [itex]x^2+ y^2= y^2= 1[/itex] so [itex]y= \pm 1[/itex]. If y= 0, [itex]x^2= 1[/itex] so [itex]x=\pm 1[/itex]. The four solutions are (0, 1), (0, -1), (1, 0), and (-1, 0).

The division is only valid in the first place if [itex]y \neq 0[/itex], so the y = 0 solution doesn't follow from that method directly. One then either has to divide the y equation by the x equation to find that or just work with the original system of equations.
 
Mute said:
The division is only valid in the first place if [itex]y \neq 0[/itex], so the y = 0 solution doesn't follow from that method directly. One then either has to divide the y equation by the x equation to find that or just work with the original system of equations.
You just have to check that each solution satisfies the original constraint, and all four do. The two x=0 solutions are equal maximums and the two y=0 solutions are equal minimums. This is an easy problem to check visually if you can picture it.
 
hi
am pretty new to lamdba calculus and would need some help.
would anyone be able to help me on how to find the linked and free variables in the following terms..
M1 = lambda x.(f(x x))
M2 = lambda f.(M1 M1)
M3 = (M2 lambda y.x)

Thanks.
 

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