Prem Gurung

Maxima and minima of a

Pokhara University

function of several
variables
Prem Gurung
Lecturer
School of Engineering, Faculty of Science and Technology
Pokhara University, Kaski Nepal
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Pokhara University

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Pokhara University

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Pokhara University
Classwork:

𝑧 = 𝑥 sin(𝑥 + 𝑦) at (– 1, 1, 0)

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 Extrema of functions of two or three variables:
Prem Gurung,
Pokhara University
A maximum or minimum value of the function of two or three variables is
known as the extreme value of the function. So it is concerned with the
evaluation of the maximum and minimum value of the function.

A function 𝑓(𝑥, 𝑦) is said to be have a maximum or minimum at 𝑥 = 𝑎 and

𝑦 = 𝑏 respectively if

𝑓(𝑎, 𝑏) > 𝑓(𝑎 + ℎ, 𝑏 + 𝑘) or 𝑓(𝑎, 𝑏) < 𝑓(𝑎 + ℎ, 𝑏 + 𝑘)

For all positive or negative small values of h and k.

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 Prem Gurung,
Pokhara University Critical Point (or Stationary Point):

A point at which 𝑓𝑥 = 0 and 𝑓𝑦 = 0 is called a critical point

(or a stationary point).

Saddle Point: A critical point at which the function does not

have a relative maximum or a relative minimum is called a
saddle point.

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 Prem Gurung,
Pokhara University

Theorem (Necessary condition):

If a function has an extreme value (relative maximum or relative

minimum) at a point (a, b) such that 𝑓𝑥 and 𝑓𝑦 exists at that point,
then both partial derivative are zero at (a, b), that is, 𝑓𝑥 = 0 and
𝑓𝑦 = 0.

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Pokhara University

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Pokhara University

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Pokhara University

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Pokhara University

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Pokhara University

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Pokhara University

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Pokhara University

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Pokhara University

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Pokhara University

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Pokhara University

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Pokhara University

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Pokhara University

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Pokhara University

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Pokhara University

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Pokhara University

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Pokhara University

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 Prem Gurung,
Maxima and Minima of a Function of three variables:
Pokhara University

Let f(x, y, z) be a function of three variables. We assume that the partial

derivatives of higher order exist in the neighborhood of point (a, b, c).
Here we list only the criteria for maxima and minima of a function of
three variables without proof.

We shall make use of a determinant whose elements are the partial

derivatives of the function. The determinant is called a Hessian
determinant.

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Pokhara University

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Pokhara University

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Pokhara University

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Pokhara University

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Pokhara University

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Pokhara University

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Pokhara University

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Pokhara University

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Pokhara University

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Pokhara University

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Pokhara University

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Pokhara University

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Pokhara University

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Pokhara University

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Pokhara University
Example for two variables:

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Pokhara University

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Pokhara University

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 Prem Gurung, Example for three variables:
Pokhara University
Write down the necessary condition that 𝑓(𝑥, 𝑦, 𝑧) to have maximum or
minimum value. Find the minimum value of 𝑓(𝑥, 𝑦) = 𝑥 2 + 𝑥𝑦 + 𝑦 2 + 3𝑧 2
such that 𝑥 + 2𝑦 + 4𝑧 = 60.

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Pokhara University

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Pokhara University

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Pokhara University

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Pokhara University

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Pokhara University

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Pokhara University

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Pokhara University

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Pokhara University

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Pokhara University

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 Prem Gurung, Question of 9(c) from Exercise 13.1
Pokhara University
If the sum of the dimension of a rectangular swimming pool is given, prove
that the amount of water in the pool is maximum when it is a cube.
Solution:
Let 𝑥, 𝑦, and 𝑧 be the length, breadth, and height of the rectangular swimming
pool.
Let the sum of the dimension of the pool is the given so, sum of dimension of
the pool is fixed. i.e. 𝑥 + 𝑦 + 𝑧 = 𝑝.
And the amount of water i.e. volume of water in the pool is V = 𝑥𝑦𝑧

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Pokhara University

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 Any Questions…?
Prem Gurung,
Pokhara University

Thank You VERY much

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