-x4.6 Find extrema f(x, y, z) = x + yz

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Discussion Overview

The discussion revolves around finding the extrema of the function \( f(x, y, z) = x + yz \) along a specified line defined by the parametric equations \( x = 8(2 + t), y = t - 8, \) and \( z = t + 2 \). Participants explore methods for deriving the extrema and classifying them as minimum or maximum.

Discussion Character

  • Mathematical reasoning
  • Technical explanation
  • Exploratory

Main Points Raised

  • One participant suggests substituting the parametric equations into the function to create a single-variable function of \( t \).
  • Another participant provides a detailed calculation showing that \( f(8(2+t), t-8, t+2) \) simplifies to \( t^2 + 2t \) and finds the critical point at \( t = -1 \), leading to the point \( (8, -9, 1) \) being a minimum.
  • A different approach is introduced using the chain rule, where derivatives of \( f \) with respect to \( t \) are calculated, resulting in the same critical point and classification of the extremum.

Areas of Agreement / Disagreement

Participants appear to agree on the critical point being \( (8, -9, 1) \) and classify it as a minimum. However, there is no explicit consensus on the methods used to arrive at this conclusion, as different approaches are presented.

Contextual Notes

Some participants express uncertainty about taking derivatives and the application of the chain rule, indicating that there may be unresolved steps or assumptions in the calculations presented.

karush
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$\text{Find the extrema of $f(x, y, z) = x + yz$ on the line defined by}$
$$\text{$x = 8(2 + t), y = t - 8,$ and $z = t+ 2$.}$$
$\text{Classify each extremum as a minimum or maximum.}$
\begin{align*} \displaystyle
&
\text{Book answer}=\color{red}{\text{$(8, -9, 1)$, minimum}}
\end{align*}
$\textit{ok not sure how you take derivative of $f(x,y,z)$ to set it to zero}$
$\tiny{x4.6}$
 
Last edited:
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Hint: If you substitute the expressions for $x, y$ and $z$ in terms of $t$ into the expression for $f(x,y,z)$, then you get a single-variable function of $t$.
 
thusly..:D

\begin{align*} \displaystyle
f_6(x,y,z)&=x+yz\\
f_6(8(2+t),t-8,t+2)&=8(2+t)+(t-8)(t+2)\\
&=t^2+2t\\
f_6^\prime(-1)&=0\\
&=8(2+(-1))+((-1)-8)((-1)+2)\\
&=8+(-9)(1)=x+yz\\
\therefore&=\color{red}
{\text{$(8,-9,1)$,min}}
\end{align*}
 
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OR you can use the "chain rule"- if f is a function of x, y, and z and x, y, and z are functions of t then $$\frac{df}{dt}= \frac{\partial f}{\partial x}\frac{dx}{dt}+ \frac{\partial f}{\partial y}\frac{dy}{dt}+ \frac{\partial f}{\partial z}\frac{dz}{dt}$$.

Since [math]f(x, y)= x+ yz[/math], [math]\frac{\partial f}{\partial x}= 1[/math], [math]\frac{\partial f}{\partial y}= z[/math], and [math]\frac{\partial f}{\partial z}= y[/math].

Since [math]x= 8(2+ t)= 16+ 8t[/math], [math]\frac{dx}{dt}= 8[/math]. Since [math]y= t- 8[/math], [math]\frac{dy}{dt}= 1[/math]. Since [math]z= t+ 2[/math], [math]\frac{dz}{dt}= 1[/math].

Putting those all together, [math]\frac{df}{dt}= (1)(8)+ (z)(1)+ (y)(1)= 8+ z+ y= 8+ t+ 2+ t- 8= 2t+ 2[/math]. That will be 0 when t= -1 so when x= 16- 8= 8, y= -1- 8= -9, and z= -1+ 2= 1. f(8, -9, 1)= 8- 9= -1.
 
https://dl.orangedox.com/GXEVNm73NxaGC9F7Cy
 
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