1

Maxima and Minima of

Function of Two Variables
C3L4
2
Learning Outcomes
At the end of the lesson you
should be able to:
1. Define relative maximum and
absolute maximum.
2. Define relative minimum and
absolute minimum.
3. Find the critical points.
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Definition
A function f of two variables is said to
have a relative a relative minimum at a
point (xo,yo) if there is a disk centered at
(xo.yo) such that for
all points (x,y) that lie in the disk, and f
is said to have an absolute minimum at
(xo,yo) if for all points
(x,y) in the domain of f.
) , ( ) , (
0 0
y x f y x f s
) , ( ) , (
0 0
y x f y x f >
4
z
Z= f(x,y)
Absolute Min; Relative Min;
Absolute Max; Relative Max
A
B
C
D
y
x
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Finding Relative Extrema
Theorem is f has a relative extremum at a
point (xo,yo), and if the first partial
derivatives of f exist at this point, then

0 ) , ( 0 ) , (
0 0 0 0
= = y x f and y x f
y x
Note:
1.These are also called critical points.
2. From the Extreme Value Theorem, if f(x,y) is
continuous on a closed bounded set region R, then
f has both an absolute maximum and absolute
minimum.
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Second Partials Test
Theorem
Let f be a function of two variables with
continuous second order PD in some disk
centered at a critical point (xo,yo), and
let

. , 0 . 4
). , ( int , 0 . 3
). , ( max , 0 ) , ( & 0 . 2
). , ( min , 0 ) , ( & 0 . 1
, ) , ( ) , ( ) , (
0 0
0 0 0 0
0 0 0 0
0 0
2
0 0 0 0
drawn be can conclusion no D
y x at po saddle a has f then D
y x at imum relative a has f y x f D
y x at imum relative a has f y x f D
If y x f y x f y x f D
xx
xx
xy yy xx
=
<
< >
> >
=
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Example 1
Locate all relative maxima, relative
minima, and saddle points, if any
Given:
a.

b. More problems!
y x y x y x f 3 3 ) , (
3 3
+ =
2 2
4 4
3 3
cos ) , (
4 4 ) , (
3 ) , (
y x y x f
y x xy y x f
y xy x y x f
+ =
+ =
+ =
8
Answer:
a)

. max . ) 1 , 1 ( , 0 36 , 0 36
. min . ) 1 , 1 ( , 0 6 , 0 36
int ) 1 , 1 ( & ) 1 , 1 ( , 0 36
1 ; 1
rel f D
rel f D
po saddle D
y x
xx
xx
< = > =
> = > =
< =
= =
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Answer
b)

(x,y)=(0,0)
D=-2<0 , therefore (0,0) is a saddle
point.
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Absolute Extrema on Closed and
Bounded Sets
Steps to follow:
1. Find the critical points of f that is in the
interior of R.
2. Find all boundary points at which the
absolute extrema can occur.
3. Evaluate f(x,y) at the points obtained in
the previous step. The largest of these
value is the absolute maximum and the
smallest the absolute minimum.
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Example 2
) 0 , 5 ( , ) 4 , 0 ( , ) 0 , 0 (
, 3 ) , ( vertices withs triangle a is R y x xy y x f =
(0,0) (5,0)
(0, 4)
Find the extreme values given
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Answer
(x,y)=(3,1)
When y=0, (x-axis), u(x)= -x no CP
When x=0 , (y-axis) v(y) =-3y no CP
Along y=-4/5 x +4 hence,

12 80 / 231 5 0 3 ) (
) 4 , 0 ( ) 10 / 13 , 8 / 27 ( ) 0 , 5 ( ) 0 , 0 ( ) 1 , 3 ( ) , (
) 10 / 13 , 8 / 27 ( : , 12
5
27
5
4
) (
2

+ =
x w
y x
CP x x x w
Abs. Max Abs Min.
) 0 , 5 ( , ) 4 , 0 ( , ) 0 , 0 (
, 3 ) , ( vertices withs triangle a is R y x xy y x f =
13
Practice More!!!
On page 1008 do the
following numbers:
11 , 13, 14, 17, 29, 31
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Simple Recall!!
Find the absolute extrema of the given
function


on the indicated closed and bounded region
R that satisfies the inequalities



2
) , ( y x y x f =
1 , 0 , 0
2 2
s + > > y x and y x
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Answer:
( )
3
2
,
3
1
(x,y ) (0,0) (0, 1) (1,0)
f (x,y) 0 0 0
9
3 2
Abs. Minimum
Abs. Maximum
A point in R
Points along
the boundary
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Practice More!
On page 986-987 do the following:

Nos. 11, 13 , 33, 39