Maxima and Minima (Two Variables)

Example:

f ( x , y)=e

1 Solve
f x =e

f x =0

1
 x 3 + x y 2
3

and

f y =0

1
 x 3 + x y 2
3

f y =e

(x 2 +1)=0 => x 2 +1=0 =>

x =1,1

 1 x 3 +x  y 2
3

(2y)=0 => 2y=0 => y=0

The Stationary Points are (1,0) and (-1,0).

2 2nd Derivative Test:

D= f xx f yy [ f xy ]2

Cases)
1) D>0 and

f xx<0 : Maximum Point

2) D>0 and

f xx>0 : Minimum Point

3) D<0: Saddle Point

4) D=0: No Conclusion

f xx=e
f yy =e
f xy=e

 1 x 3+ x y 2
3

( x +1) +e

 1 x 3 + x y 2
3

(2y)2 +e

 1 x 3+ x y 2
3

 1 x3 + x y 2
3

(2x ) (Use Product Rule)

 1 x 3 + x y 2
3

(2)

(2y)(x 2+1)

Substituting in and calculating, point (1,0) is a maximum point.

(-1,0) is a saddle point.

William Wu

Reference:
http://math.oregonstate.edu/home/programs/undergrad/CalculusQuestStudyGuides/vcalc/min_max/min_max.html

William Wu