Nanyang Technological University

School of Physical and Mathematical Sciences

Division of Mathematical Sciences

MH1811 Mathematics 2 Tutorial 4

Topics: Global and Local Extrema. Finding Stationary points of f (x, y) and classifying each as local
maximum/minimum or saddle point via discriminant D = fxx fyy − fxy fyx . Lagrange Multiplier Method.
Finding Global Extreme Values.

1. Let f (x, y) = ln(x + y) + x2 − y.

(a) What is the domain of f ?

(b) Find all stationary point(s) of f and classify each of them.

2. Locate all critical points of f and classify whether they are local (relative) maximum, local (relative)
minimum, and saddle points.

(a) f (x, y) = x4 + y 4 − 4xy + 7

(b) f (x, y) = ex cos y

3. Let f (x, y) = (2x − x2 )(y 2 − 4y) and S = (x, y) : x2 + y 2 > 4 . Classify all stationary points of f


in the region S as local maximum, local minimum or saddle points.

4. Find the global (absolute) maximum and minimum of f (x, y) = xy − x − 3y on the the triangular
region R with vertices (0, 0), (0, 4), and (5, 0).
(Hint: Locate all critical points of f in the interior of the region, and locate points on boundary
where f has local extrema. Lastly compare values of f .)

5. Find the maximum volume of a rectangular box with three faces on the positive coordinate planes
(i.e., xy-, xz-, yz-planes and x, y, z ≥ 0) and a vertex on the plane x + y + z = 1.

6. A cardboard box without a lid is to have a volume of 32,000 cm3 . Use the method of Lagrange
multipliers to find the dimensions which minimizes the amount of cardboard used. Here, we assume
that the global minimum exists.

7. Use Lagrange multipliers to discuss how to construct a closed cylindrical metal can with a given
volume V in a way that minimizes theq surface area (the amount of metal used). (Assume that the
3 V
minimum value exists.) (Answer: r = 2π )

1
8. A space probe in the shape of the ellipsoid

4x2 + y 2 + 4z 2 = 16

enters Earth’s atmosphere and its surface begins to heat. After one hour, the temperature at the
point (x, y, z) on the probe’s surface is

T (x, y, z) = 8x2 + 4yz − 16z + 600.

Find the hottest point on the probe’s surface.

 
4 4 4
(Answer: ± , − , − )
3 3 3
9. (Optional.) Find the point closest to the origin on the line of intersection of the planes y + 2z = 12
and x + y = 6. (Answer: (2, 4, 4))

Feedback form: https://forms.gle/LzjU1iU8or9Ayy3B9