1

Chapter – 2
PARTIAL DERIVATIVES

DIRECTIONAL DERIVATIVE
MAXIMUM AND MINIMUM VALUES OF MULTIVARIATE FUNCTIONS
The Gradient Vector:
2
Definition: If f is a function of three variables x, y and z. Then the gradient
of f (x, y, z ) denoted by grad f (or) f (which is read as “del f ”) and it is
defined as
grad f = f = f x i + f y j + f z k = f x , f y , f z

  
where Del =  = i + j +k is called the vector differential operator.
x y z
 f (x, y, z ) = 3x 2 y − y 3 z 2
Example 27: If find grad f at the point (1,-2,-1). 3

Sol: Let f (x, y, z ) = 3x 2 y − y 3 z 2

grad f = f = f x iˆ + f y ˆj + f z kˆ

( )
= 6 xyiˆ + 3x 2 − 3 y 2 z 2 ˆj − 2 y 3 zkˆ

At (1,-2,-1),

2 2 2

f = 6(1)(− 2)iˆ + 3(1) − 3(− 2) (− 1) ˆj − 2(− 2) (− 1)kˆ
3

= −12iˆ − 9 ˆj − 16kˆ
Directional Derivative: 4
The directional derivative of f (x, y, z ) at a point (x0 , y0 , z0 ) in a direction of a unit vector
u is denoted by Du f (x0 , y0 , z0 ) and it is defined as

Du f (x0 , y0 , z0 ) = f . u

Note 1: Du f (x0 , y0 , z0 ) represents the rate of change of f (x, y, z ) at (x0 , y0 , z0 ) in the direction of
a unit vector u .
y

Note 2: In a two-dimensional plane, if the unit vector, u makes an angle 

with the positive x-axis. Then we can write
u sin

u = cos  i + sin  j 
(x0,y0) cos

0 xy
Example 28: Find the directional derivative, Du f (x, y ) if f (x, y ) = x 3 − 3xy + 4 y 2 5

and u is the unit vector given by an angle =
6
. What is Du f (1,2)?

Sol: Here the unit vector u = cos i + sin  j

 
= cos i + sin j
6 6
3 1
= i+ j
2 2 ∴ The directional derivative of f in the direction of
and
f = f x i + f y j u at the point (1,2) is

( )
= 3x 2 − 3 y i + (− 3x + 8 y ) j Du f (1,2) = f (1,2)  u
 3 
= (− 3i + 13 j ) 
1
i+ j 
At the point (1,2),
f = (3 − 6)i + (− 3 + 16) j  2 2 
3 3 13 13 − 3 3
=− + =
= −3i + 13 j 2 2 2
Example 29: If f (x, y ) = x sin yz 6
(a) find the gradient of f at (1,3,0)
(b) find the directional derivative of f at
(1,3,0) in the direction of vˆ = iˆ + 2 ˆj − kˆ
Sol: Let f (x, y) = x sin yz
f ˆ f ˆ f ˆ (b) Let û
(a) grad f= f = i+ j+ k
x y z be the unit vector in the
= sin yziˆ + x cos yz  zˆj + x cos yz  ykˆ
direction of the vector,
= sin yziˆ + xz cos yzˆj + xy cos yzkˆ
vˆ = iˆ + 2 ˆj − kˆ
At (1,3,0), vˆ iˆ + 2 ˆj − kˆ iˆ + 2 ˆj − kˆ 1 ˆ 2 ˆ 1 ˆ
 uˆ = = = = i+ j− k
f = sin 0iˆ + 0  cos 0 ˆj + 3 cos 0kˆ vˆ 12 + 2 2 + (− 1)
2
6 6 6 6

= 0iˆ + 0 ˆj + 3kˆ = 3kˆ ∴ The directional derivative of f at (1,3,0) in the direction of

v̂ is
Duˆ f (1,3,0) = f  uˆ
 1 ˆ 2 ˆ 1 ˆ 3 3 3 3
= 3kˆ   i+ j− k = − =− =−
 6 6 6  6 3 2 2
Example 30: Find the directional derivative of the function at the given
ොҧ
point in the direction of the vector 𝑣. 7
(i) f (x, y ) = 1 + 2 x y, (3,4), vˆ = 4,−3

f ( x, y , z ) = , (3,4,1), vˆ = iˆ + 2 ˆj + 3kˆ
x
(ii)
y+z

 
(iii) g (r ,  ) = e − r sin  ,  0, , vˆ = 3iˆ − 2 ˆj
 3

(iv) f (x, y, z ) = x 2 + y 2 + z 2 , (1,2,−2), vˆ = −6iˆ + 6 ˆj − 3kˆ

f (x, y, z ) = (x + 2 y + 3z ) 2 , (1,1,2), vˆ = 2 ˆj − kˆ
3
(v)
Sol: (i) Let f (x, y ) = 1 + 2 x y 8
f ˆ f ˆ
 f = i+ j
x y
1
= 2 yiˆ + 2 x  ˆj
2 y
x ˆ
= 2 yiˆ + j
y
At (3,4) ,
3 ˆ 3
f = 2 4iˆ + j = 4iˆ + ˆj
4 2

Let 𝑢തො the unit vector in the direction of vˆ = 4iˆ − 3 ˆj

vˆ 4iˆ − 3 ˆj 4iˆ − 3 ˆj 4 ˆ 3 ˆ
 uˆ = = = = i− j
vˆ 4 + (− 3) 5 5
2
2 25

∴ The directional derivative of f at (3,4) in the direction of 𝑣ොҧ is

Duˆ f (3,4) = f  uˆ

=  4iˆ +
3 ˆj    4 iˆ − 3 ˆj  = 16 − 9 = 32 − 9 = 23
 2  5 5  5 10 10 10
 f (x, y, z ) =
x
Sol: (ii) Let
y+z 9
f ˆ f ˆ f ˆ
 f = i+ j+ k
x y z
1 ˆ x x
= i− ˆj − kˆ
y+z (y + z)2
(y + z)2

At (4,1,1) ,
1 4 4 1
f = iˆ − ˆj − kˆ = iˆ − ˆj − kˆ
2 4 4 2

Let 𝑢തො the unit vector in the direction of vˆ = iˆ + 2 ˆj + 3kˆ

vˆ
 uˆ = =
vˆ
iˆ + 2 ˆj + 3kˆ
=
1 ˆ
(
i + 2 ˆj + 3kˆ )
1 +2 +3
2 2 2
14

∴ The directional derivative of f at (4,1,1) in the direction of 𝑢ො is

Duˆ f (4,1,1) = f  uˆ
1
2
 1 ˆ
=  iˆ − ˆj − kˆ  
 14
(
i + 2 ˆj + 3kˆ =)1 1 
 − 2 − 3 =
14  2 
1 1 
 − 5 = −
14  2 
9
2 14
(iii), (iv) and (v) please try yourself
Maximizing the Directional Derivative: 10
Theorem: Suppose f is a differentiable function of two (or) three variables.
The maximum value of the directional derivative Du f is f
and it occurs in the direction of the gradient vector 𝛻𝑓.
Proof: The directional derivative of a function f at same point in the direction of a unit
vector 𝑢ത is
Du f = f  u
= f u cos  , where  is the angle between 𝛻𝑓 𝑎𝑛𝑑 𝑢ത

= f cos  ( u is a unit vector ,  u = 1)

The maximum value of cos is 1 and this occurs when 𝜃 = 0, 𝑡ℎ𝑎𝑡 𝑖𝑠 𝑢ത
has the same direction as 𝛻𝑓.

∴ The maximum value of Du f is f and its occurs in the direction of 𝛻𝑓.

Example 31: (a) f (x, y ) = xy , find the rate of change of f at the point P(2,8) 11
in the direction of Q(5,4).

(b) In what direction does f have the maximum rate of change?

What is the maximum rate of change?
Sol: Let f (x, y ) = xy, 12
f ˆ f ˆ
 f = i+ j
x y
1 1 𝑦 𝑥
= ⋅ 𝑦 𝑖Ƹ + ⋅ 𝑥 𝑗Ƹ = 𝑖Ƹ + 𝑗Ƹ
2 𝑥𝑦 2 𝑥𝑦 2 𝑥𝑦 2 𝑥𝑦

At P(2,8) ,
8 ˆ 2 ˆ ˆ 1ˆ
f = i+ j =i + j
2 16 2 16 4

Let 𝑢ො the unit vector in the direction of PQ = 3iˆ − 4 ˆj

PQ 3iˆ − 4 ˆj 3 4
 uˆ = = = iˆ − ˆj
32 + (− 4) 5 5
2
PQ

∴ The rate of change of f at the point P (2,8) in the direction from P to Q is

Duˆ f = f (2,8)  uˆ
 1 ˆj    3 iˆ − 4 ˆj  = 3 − 1 = 2
=  iˆ +
 4  5 5  5 5 5
(b) f increases fastest in the direction of the gradient vector, 𝛻𝑓 13

∴f has the maximum rate of change is = f

1ˆ 1 17
= iˆ + j = 1+ =
4 16 4
Example 32: Find the maximum rate of change of f at the given point and the
direction in which it occurs.
14

y2
(i) f ( x, y ) = , (2,4)
x

(ii) f (x, y, z ) = tan (x + 2 y + 3z ), (− 5,1,1)

(iii) f ( p, q ) = qe − p + pe − q , (0,0)

(iv) (
f (x, y, z ) = ln xy 2 z 3 ,) (1,−2,−3)
(v) f ( x, y , z ) = x 2 y 3 z 4 , (1,1,1)

(vi) f (x, y ) = sin (xy ), (1,0)

(iii), (iv), (v) and (vi) Please try yourself.

Sol: (i) f (x, y ) =
y2
x
15

f ˆ f ˆ
 f = i+ j
x y

y2 ˆ 2 y ˆ
=− 2 i+ j
x x

At P(2,4) ,
16 ˆ 8 ˆ
f = − i + j = −4iˆ + 4 ˆj
4 2
 The maximum rate of change of f at the point (2,4) occurs in the direction occurs in the direction of
− iˆ + ˆj
f (2,4) = −4iˆ + 4 ˆj
or, equivalently, in the direction of − iˆ + ˆj or the unit vector,
2
and the maximum rate of change of f is

f = − 4iˆ + 4 ˆj = 32 = 4 2
(ii) Here f (x, y, z ) = tan(x + 2 y + 3z ) 16
f ˆ f ˆ f ˆ
 f = i+ j+ k
x y z

= sec 2 (x + 2 y + 3z )  (1)iˆ − sec 2 (x + 2 y + 3z )  (2) ˆj − sec 2 (x + 2 y + 3z )  (3)kˆ


= sec 2 (x + 2 y + 3z ) iˆ + 2 ˆj + 3kˆ 
At (-5,1,1) ,

f = sec 2 (− 5 + 2 + 3) iˆ + 2 ˆj + 3kˆ 
(
= sec 2 (0) iˆ + 2 ˆj + 3kˆ)
( )
= 12  iˆ + 2 ˆj + 3kˆ = iˆ + 2 ˆj + 3kˆ

 f (− 5,1,1) = iˆ + 2 ˆj + 3kˆ is the direction of maximum rate of change and

the maximum rate is
f (− 5,1,1) = 1 + 4 + 9 = 14
Example 33: The temperature as a point (x,y,z) is given by 17
T (x, y, z ) = 200 e − x −3 y 2 −9 z 2
2

where T is measured in C and x,y,z are in meters.

(a)Find the rate of change of temperature at the point P(2,-1,2)

in the direction towards the point Q(3,-3,3).
(b)In which direction does the temperature increases fastest at
P?
(c)Find the maximum rate of increase at P.
 T (x, y, z ) = 200 e − x −3 y 2 −9 z 2
18
2

Sol: Let
T ˆ T ˆ T ˆ
 T = i+ j+ k
x y z
= 200e − x
2
−3 y 2 −9 z 2
(− 2 xiˆ − 6 yˆj − 18zkˆ)
= −400e − x
2
−3 y 2 −9 z 2
(xiˆ + 3 yˆj + 18kˆ)
At P ( 2,-1,2),
( )
T = −400e −4−3−36 2iˆ − 3 ˆj + 18kˆ = −400e −43 2iˆ − 3 ˆj + 18kˆ ( )
(a) Let 𝑢ො be the unit vector in the direction PQ = iˆ − 2 ˆj + kˆ

 uˆ =
PQ
PQ
=
iˆ − 2 ˆj + kˆ
1+ 4 +1
=
1 ˆ
6
(
i − 2 ˆj + kˆ )

The rate of change of temperature at the point P(2,-1,2) in the direction of PQ is

DuˆT (2,−1,2) = T (2,−1,2)  uˆ
( )
= −400e − 43 2iˆ − 3 ˆj + 18kˆ  (
1 ˆ
6
)
i − 2 ˆj + kˆ

e (2 + 6 + 18) = − 400(26) e −43 = − 10400 6 e −43 = − 520043 6 C / m

400 − 43
=−
6 6 6 3e
(b) The temperature increases fastest at P (2,-1,2) in the direction of 19
(
T (2,−1,2) = −400e −43 − 2iˆ − 3 ˆj − 18kˆ ) (or) equivalently (− 2iˆ + 3 ˆj − 18kˆ)

(c) The maximum rate of increase of temperature is

T = 400e −43 4 + 9 + 324

= 400e −43 337 C / m

Example 34: Suppose over a certain region of space the electrical potential V 20
is given by
V (x, y, z ) = 5 x − 3xy + xyz
2

(a) Find the rate of change of potential at P(3,4,5) in the direction of the
vector vˆ = iˆ + ˆj − kˆ
(b) In which direction does V change the most rapidly at P?
(c) What is the maximum rate of change at P?
Sol: Let V (x, y, z ) = 5x 2 − 3xy + xyz
21
V ˆ V ˆ V ˆ
 V = i+ j+ k
x y z
= (10 x − 3 y + yz )iˆ + (− 3x + xy ) ˆj + (xy )kˆ

At P(3,4,5),
V = (30 − 12 + 20)iˆ + (− 9 + 15) ˆj + 12kˆ
= 38iˆ + 6 ˆj + 12kˆ
(a) Let 𝑢ො be unit vector in the direction of vˆ = iˆ + ˆj − kˆ
vˆ
 uˆ = =
iˆ + ˆj − kˆ
=
1 ˆ ˆ ˆ
i + j−k ( )
vˆ 1 +1 + −1
2 2
( )2
3

∴ The rate of change of V at the P(3,4,5) in the direction of 𝑢ො is

DuˆV (3,4,5) = V (3,4,5)  uˆ

( ) (
= 38iˆ + 6 ˆj + 12kˆ 
1 ˆ ˆ ˆ
3
i + j−k )
=
1
(38 + 6 − 12) = 32
3 3
 22
(b) The potential V changes most rapidly at P (3,4,5) in the direction of
V (3,4,5) = 38iˆ + 6 ˆj + 12kˆ

(c) The maximum rate of increase of potential is

V = (38)2 + 6 2 + 12 2 = 1624 = 2 406

Example 35: (a) Show that a differentiable function f decreases most
23
rapidly at some point in the direction opposite to the
gradient vector, that is, in the direction of − f

(b) Use the result of part (a) to find the direction in which
the function f (x, y ) = x 4 y − x 2 y 3
decreases fastest at the point (2,-3).
Sol: (a) The directional derivative of f at same point in the direction of a unit
vector u is 24

Duˆ f = f  u

= f u cos  , where 𝜃 is the angle between f and u

= f cos  ( u = 1)

The minimum value of cos is -1 and this occurs when  =  , that is 𝑢ത

is in the opposite direction of 𝛻𝐹

∴ The minimum value of Du f is − f and it occurs in the direction of − f

(b) Please try yourself.

Maximum and Minimum Values:

Definition: A function 𝑓 𝑥, 𝑦 has a local maximum at a point (a, b) if f (x, y )  f (a, b)

when (x, y) is near (a, b).

[This means that f (x, y )  f (a, b) for all points (x, y) in same disk with centre (a, b)]

The number f(a, b) is called a local maximum value.

If f (x, y )  f (a, b ) when (x, y) is near (a, b),then f has a local minimum at a point (a, b) and
the value f(a, b) is a local minimum value.

Note: 1. If f (x, y )  f (a, b) for all (x, y) in the domain of f, then f has an absolute maximum at (a, b).

If f (x, y )  f (a, b ) for all (x, y) in the domain of f, then f has an absolute minimum at (a, b).

2. A maximum or a minimum value of a function is called its extreme value.

Theorem: If f has a local maximum or minimum at a point (a, b) and the first-order
partial derivatives of f exist at (a, b), then f x (a, b) = 0 and f y (a, b ) = 0

Critical point (or stationary point):

A point (a, b) is called a critical point (or stationary point) of f if f x (a, b) = 0 and f y (a, b ) = 0
or one of these partial derivatives does not exist.

Note: At a critical point, a function could have a local maximum or

local minimum or saddle point.
Second Derivative Test: Suppose the second partial derivatives of f are continuous
on a disk with centre (a, b) and suppose that f x (a, b) = 0 and f y (a, b ) = 0 [That is (a, b)
is a critical point of f ].

Let D = D(a, b ) = f xx (a, b )  f yy (a, b ) − [ f xy (a, b )]2

(i) If 𝐷 > 0 and f xx (a, b )  0, then f(a, b) is a local minimum.

(ii) If 𝐷 > 0 and f xx (a, b )  0, then f(a, b) is a local maximum.

(iii) If 𝐷 < 0 , then f(a, b) is not a local minimum or maximum.

In this case, (a, b) is called a saddle point of f.
Note 1: If 𝐷 = 0 the second derivative test gives no information.

Note 2: To remember the formula for D its helpful to write it as a determinant.

= f xx f yy − ( f xy )
f xx f xy
D=
2

f yx f yy
Working Rule to Find the Maximum and Minimum Values of f(x,y):
1. Find f x (x, y ) and f y ( x, y )

2. Solve f x ( x, y ) = 0 and f y ( x, y ) = 0 simultaneously.

Let (a, b) ; (c, d) ; --- be the critical points of f.
3. Calculate the values of
f xx , f xy , f yy  
and D = f xx f yy − f xy 2
at each critical point.

4. (i) If 𝐷 > 0 and f xx (a, b )  0, then f(a, b) is a local minimum.

(ii) If 𝐷 > 0 and f xx (a, b )  0, then f(a, b) is a local maximum.

(iii) If 𝐷 < 0, then f(a, b) is not a local minimum or maximum.
In this case, (a, b) is called a saddle point of f.

(iv) If 𝐷 = 0 at (a,b), the case is doubtful and needs further investigation.

Similarly, examine the other critical points.

Example 36: Find the local maximum and minimum values and saddle points of
f (x, y ) = x 4 + y 4 − 4 xy + 2

Sol: Let f (x, y ) = x 4 + y 4 − 4 xy + 2

 f x = 4 x 3 − 4 y, f y = 4 y 3 − 4x
f xx = 12 x 2 , f xy = −4, f yy = 12 y 2
(x )
3 3
−x=0
and D = f xx f yy − ( f xy ) = 144 x y − 16
2 2 2
 x9 − x = 0
 x(x 8 − 1) = 0
Now, f x = 0 and f y = 0 gives
 
 x (x 4 ) − 12 = 0
2

x 3 − y = 0 → (i )  x(x 4 − 1)(x 4 + 1) = 0
y 3 − x = 0 → (ii )  
 x (x 2 ) − 12 (x 4 + 1) = 0
2

From equation (i), y = x 3  x(x 2 − 1)(x 2 + 1)(x 4 + 1) = 0

 x(x − 1)(x + 1)(x 2 + 1)(x 4 + 1) = 0
Substitute y = x into equation (ii) gives
3

 x = 0,1,−1 are the real roots.

Since y = x the critical (or stationary points) are (0,0) , (1,1), (-1,-1)
3
At (0,0), D = −16  0  (0,0) is a saddle point of f.

At (1,1), D = 128  0 and f xx = 12  0. So, f(1,1) =0 is a local minimum value.

At (-1,-1), D = 128  0 and f xx = 12  0. So, f(-1,-1) = 0 is also a local minimum.

Example 37: Find and classify the critical points of the function.

f (x, y ) = 2 x 3 + xy 2 + 5 x 2 + y 2

Solution:
f x = 6 x + y + 10 x,
2 2
f y = 2 yx + 2 y
f xx = 12 x + 10, f xy = 2 y, f yy = 2 x + 2
D = f xx f yy − ( f xy ) = (12 x + 10 )(2 x + 2) − 4 y 2
2

f x = 0 and f y = 0 gives

6 x 2 + y 2 + 10 x = 0 → (i )
2 y (x + 1) = 0 → (ii )

From equation (ii), y=0 or x + 1 = 0  x = −1

 6 x 2 + y 2 + 10 x = 0 → (i )
2 y (x + 1) = 0 → (ii )

From equation (ii),  The critical points are

y=0 or x + 1 = 0  x = −1 5
(0,0), (− ,0), (−1, ±2)
3
Substitute y = 0 in equation (i), gives
At (0,0),
6 x 2 + 10 x = 0 D = 20  0 and f xx = 10  0
 x(6 x + 10 ) = 0
10 5 So, f(0,0) = 0 is a local minimum.
 x = 0 or x = − =−
6 3
Substitute x = −1 in equation (i), gives
Repeat with the other critical points
6 + y 2 − 10 = 0
yourself
 y2 − 4 = 0
 y2 = 4
 y = 2
Example 38: Find the local maximum and minimum values and saddle
point(s) of the function
f (x, y ) = 1 + 2 xy − x 2 − y 2

Solution:
 f x = 2 y − 2 x, f y = 2x − 2 y
f xx = −2, f xy = 2, f yy = −2

D = f xx f yy − ( f xy ) = (− 2)(− 2) − 2 2 = 4 − 4 = 0
2

Now,
fx = 0 and f y = 0 gives
So, the second derivative test gives no
y − x = 0 → (i )
information. The case is doubtful.
x − y = 0 → (ii )

From (i) and (ii), x=y

∴ The critical points are all points of the form (𝑥0 , 𝑦0 ). But, D(x0 , x0 ) = 4 − 4 = 0.
 f (x, y ) = 1 + 2 xy − x 2 − y 2 = 1 − (x − y )
2
However,

 f (x, y ) = 1 − (x − y )  1
2
for all (x, y) with equality if and only if x = y.

 f (x0 , x0 ) = 1 are local maxima.

Example 39: Discuss the local minima and maxima of
f (x, y ) = e x cos y
Solution
 f x = e x cos y, f y = −e x sin y
f xx = e x cos y, f xy = −e x sin y, f yy = −e x cos y
D = f xx f yy − ( f xy ) = −e 2 x cos2 y − e 2 x sin 2 y = −e 2 x
2

Now,
From (ii), sin y = 0
f x = 0 and f y = 0 gives

But, if y = + n ,
e cos y = 0 → (i )
x
2
 
− e sin y = 0 → (ii )
x sin y = sin  + n  = 1  0
From (i), 2 

cos y = 0 ( e x  0 for all x)


So there are no critical points for f.
y = + n , for all integer n.
2
Example 40: Find the shortest distance from the point (2,1,-1) to the plane
x + y − z =1

Solution:
Let (x, y, z ) be any point on the plane x + y − z = 1 → (1)

Let d be the distance from (2,1,-1) to (x, y, z )

d = (x − 2)2 + ( y − 1)2 + (z + 1)2

= (x − 2)2 + ( y − 1)2 + (x + y )2 ( from (1), z = x + y − 1)

We wish to minimize d by minimizing the simpler expression

d 2 = f (x, y ) = (x − 2) + ( y − 1) + (x + y )
2 2 2
 d 2 = f (x, y ) = (x − 2) + ( y − 1) + (x + y )
2 2 2

 f x = 2( x − 2 ) + 2(x + y ), f y = 2( y − 1) + 2( x + y )
f xx = 2 + 2 = 4, f xy = 2, f yy = 2 + 2 = 4 Since D = 12  0 and f xx = 4  0
D = f xx f yy − ( f xy ) = (4)(4) − 2 2 = 16 − 4 = 12  0
2
f has a local minimum at (1,0).

Now, f x = 0 and f y = 0 gives

Then
2 x + y − 2 = 0 → (i )
d= (x − 2)2 + ( y − 1)2 + (x + y )2 = 1+1+1 = 3
2 y + x − 1 = 0 → (ii )
Solving (i) and (ii) for x and y. We have
 3 is the shortest distance from (2,1,-1) to the plane
2x + y = 2
x + y − z =1
2x + 4 y = 2
− 3y = 0
y =0

From (ii), x = 1 − 2 y = 1 − 0 = 1
The only critical point is (1,0).
 Example 41: Find the shortest distance from the point (1,0,-2) to the plane
x + 2y + z = 4
Sol: Try yourself

Example 42: Find the point on the plane x − y + z = 4 that is closest to the point (1,2,3).
Sol: Try yourself

Example 43: Find the point on the surface z 2 = xy + 1 that are close to the origin.
Sol: Try yourself
Absolute Maximum and Minimum Values:

Extreme Value Theorem for functions of two variables:

If f is continuous on a closed, bounded set D in ℝ2 , then f attains an absolute maximum value

f (x1 , y1 ) and an absolute minimum value f (x , y ) at some points (x1 , y1 ) and (x , y ) in D.
2 2 2 2

To find the absolute maximum and minimum values of a continuous function f on a closed
bounded set D:
(i) Find the values of f at critical points of f in D.
(ii) Find the extreme values of f on the boundary of D.
(iii) The largest of the values from steps (i) and (ii) is the absolute maximum value; the
smallest of these values is the absolute minimum value.
Example 44: Find the absolute maximum and minimum values of the function
f (x, y ) = x 2 − 2 xy + 2 y on the rectangle D = (x, y ) / 0  x  3,0  y  2

y
Solution

f (x, y ) = x 2 − 2 xy + 2 y since f is a polynomial, it is continuous on the closed bounded

rectangle D. L3
(0,2) y=2
(3,2)

 f x = 2 x − 2 y, f y = −2 x + 2 L4
x=0 D L2
x=3
Now, f x = 0 and, f y = 0 gives
(0,0) L1 (3,0) x
x − y = 0 → (i ) y=0

− x + 1 = 0 → (ii )
From (ii), x = 1
From (i), x = y = 1

The only critical point is (1,1) and the value of f at this point is f(1,1) = 1
Now, we find the values of f on the boundary of D, which consists of the four line segments
L1 , L2 , L3 and L4

On L1 we have y = 0, x = x and 𝑓 𝑥, 0 = 𝑥 2 , 0 ≤ 𝑥 ≤ 3
This is a parabola

𝐸. 𝑃: 0,0 → 𝑓 0,0 = 0
𝐸. 𝑃: 3,0 → 𝑓 3,0 =9
On L2 x = 3, y = y f (3, y ) = 9 − 4 y, 0  y  2
This is a line 𝑓 3, 𝑦 = 9 − 4𝑦, 𝑓′(3, 𝑦) = −4 ≠ 0 → No C.P
𝐸. 𝑃: 3,0 → 𝑓 3,0 = 9
𝐸. 𝑃: 3,2 → 𝑓 3,2 = 1

On L3 y = 2, x = x f (x,2) = x 2 − 4 x + 4, 0  x  3
This is a parabola f (x,2) = x 2 − 4 x + 4, f ' ( x,2) = 2 x − 4 = 0 → C.P (2,2) , f (2,2) = 0
𝐸. 𝑃: 0,2 → 𝑓 0,2 = 4

𝐸. 𝑃: 3,2 → 𝑓 3,2 =1
On L4 we have x = 0, y = y and f (0, y ) = 2 y, 0  y  2

This is a line f (0, y ) = 2 y, f ' (0, y ) = 2 → No C.P

𝐸. 𝑃: 0,0 → 𝑓 0,0 = 0

𝐸. 𝑃: 0,2 → 𝑓 0,2 =4

ABSOLUTE MINIMUM IS 0,0 → 𝑓 0,0 = 0

ABSOLUTE MAXIMUM IS 3,0 → 𝑓 3,0 = 9

Example 45: Find the absolute maximum and minimum values of the function
f (x, y ) = 1 + 4 x − 5 y

on the set D, where D is a closed triangular region with vertices (0,0),(2,0)

and (0,3).
Solution:
Since f is a polynomial, it is continuous on D. So, an absolute maximum and minimum exist.

Here f x = 4 and f y = −5

So there are no critical points in side D.

Thus, the absolute maximum and minimum occurs on the boundary of D

 y

On L1 we have y = 0, y = y and f (x,0) = 1 + 4 x, 0  x  2

f (x,0) = 1 + 4 x, f ' ( x,0) = 4 = 0 → No C.P (0,3)
E.P (0,0) → f (0,0) = 1
E.P (2,0) → f (2,0) = 9 L2
L3
x=0 D
3  3   3 
On L2 we have x = x, y = − x + 3 and f  x,− x + 3  = 1 + 4 x − 5 − x + 3 
2  2   2 
(0,0) L1 (2,0) x
15
=1 + 4 x + x − 15 y=0
2
23
= x − 14 0  y  2
2
 3  23  3  23
f  x, − x + 3  = x − 14, f '  x, − x + 3  = → No C.P
 2  2  2  2
E.P (0,3) → f (0,3) = −14
E.P (2,0) → f (2,0) = 9
 y
On L3 we have x = 0, y = y and f (0, y ) = 1 − 5 y, 0  y  3
f (0, y ) = 1 − 5 y, f ' (0, y ) = −5 = 0 → No C.P (0,3)

E.P (0,3) → f (0,3) = −14

E.P (0,0) → f (0,0) = 0 L2
L3
x=0 D

(0,0) L1 (2,0) x
y=0

Absolute minimum value of f is f (0,3) = −15 on D.

Absolute maximum value of f is f (2,0) = 9 on D.

Example 46: Find the absolute maximum and minimum values of f the set D

(i) f (x, y ) = 3 + xy − x − 2 y, D is the closed triangular region with vertices (1,0), (5,0) and
(1,4).
(ii) f (x, y ) = x 2 + y 2 + x 2 y + 4, D = (x, y ) / x  1, y  1

(iii) f (x, y ) = x 4 + y 4 − 4 xy + 2, D = (x, y ) / 0  x  3,0  y  2

Sol: Try yourself

END