Maxima/Minima of functions of 2 variables

Let 𝑓 be a function with two variables with continuous 2nd order 𝑓𝑥𝑥 , 𝑓𝑦𝑦 , 𝑓𝑥𝑦 at a critical point
2
(a,b). Let 𝐷 = 𝑓𝑥𝑥 (𝑎, 𝑏)𝑓𝑦𝑦 (𝑎, 𝑏) − (𝑓𝑥𝑦 ) (𝑎, 𝑏)

Second derivative test:

a) If 𝐷 > 0 and 𝑓𝑥𝑥 (𝑎, 𝑏) > 0, then 𝑓 has a relative minimum at (𝑎, 𝑏).
b) If 𝐷 > 0 and 𝑓𝑥𝑥 (𝑎, 𝑏) < 0, then 𝑓 has a relative maximum at (𝑎, 𝑏).
c) If 𝐷 < 0, then 𝑓 has a saddle point at (𝑎, 𝑏).
d) If 𝐷 = 0, then no conclusion can be drawn.

Ex.1. Determine the critical points and locate any relative maxima, minima and saddle points of the
function defined by 𝑓(𝑥, 𝑦) = 2𝑥 2 + 2𝑥𝑦 + 2𝑦 2 − 6𝑥.

𝜕𝑓 𝜕2 𝑓
Solution: Taking the following: 𝜕𝑥
= 𝑓𝑥 (𝑥, 𝑦) = 4𝑥 + 2𝑦 −6 𝜕𝑥 2
= 𝑓𝑥𝑥 (𝑥, 𝑦) = 4
𝜕𝑓 𝜕2 𝑓
𝜕𝑦
= 𝑓𝑥 (𝑥, 𝑦) = 2𝑥 + 4𝑦 𝜕𝑦 2
= 𝑓𝑦𝑦 (𝑥, 𝑦) = 4
𝜕2 𝑓
𝜕𝑦𝜕𝑥
= 𝑓𝑥𝑦 (𝑥, 𝑦) = 2

Equate both 𝑓𝑥𝑥 and 𝑓𝑦𝑦 to zero, and solve simultaneously for 𝑥 and 𝑦.

4𝑥 + 2𝑦 − 6 = 0
} 𝑥 = 2 and 𝑦 = −1
2𝑥 + 4𝑦 = 0
2
Substitute in the equation for 𝐷: 𝐷 = 𝑓𝑥𝑥 (2, −1)𝑓𝑦𝑦 (2, −1) − (𝑓𝑥𝑦 ) (2, −1)
𝐷 = (4)(4) − (2)2 = 12

Since 𝐷 > 0 and 𝑓𝑥𝑥 > 0, function has a local minimum at (2, −1).
The 3-dimensional graph has a local minimum at the point [2, −1, 𝑓(2, −1)] or at
the point (2, −1, −6)

Ex.2. A box is to be made in the shape of a rectangular prism with a volume of 1000 cm 3. Find the
dimensions 𝑥, 𝑦, 𝑧 of the box so that the total surface area of all 6 faces of the box is a minimum.

Solution: 𝑆𝑢𝑟𝑓𝑎𝑐𝑒 𝐴𝑟𝑒𝑎 𝑆𝐴 = 2(𝑥𝑦 + 𝑦𝑧 + 𝑥𝑧)

1000
𝑉𝑜𝑙𝑢𝑚𝑒 𝑉 = 𝑥𝑦𝑧 = 1000, then 𝑧 = 𝑥𝑦
1000 1000
Substitute in SA: 𝑆𝐴 = 2 [𝑥𝑦 + 𝑦 ( )+ 𝑥( )] z
𝑥𝑦 𝑥𝑦
2000 2000
𝑆𝐴 = 2𝑥𝑦 + +
𝑥 𝑦
y
x
𝜕𝑆𝐴 2000
= 𝑆𝐴𝑥 = 2𝑦 − =0
𝜕𝑥 𝑥2
Find the critical points: 𝜕𝑆𝐴 2000 } 𝑥 = 10 and 𝑦 = 10
𝜕𝑦
= 𝑆𝐴𝑦 = 2𝑥 − 𝑦2 =0

4000 4000
Find 2nd order partial derivatives: 𝑆𝐴𝑥𝑥 = 𝑥3
, 𝑆𝐴𝑦𝑦 = 𝑦3
, 𝑆𝐴𝑥𝑦 = 2
Test values of 𝑆𝐴𝑥𝑥 , 𝑆𝐴𝑦𝑦 , 𝑆𝐴𝑥𝑦 at the point (10,10) using the 2nd derivative test.

4000 4000
𝐷 = ( 103 ) ( 103 ) − (2)2

Note that 𝐷 > 0 𝑎𝑛𝑑 𝑆𝐴𝑥𝑥 > 0, therefore the dimensions of the box that will yield a
minimum surface area should be 𝑥 = 10 𝑐𝑚, 𝑦 = 10 𝑐𝑚 𝑎𝑛𝑑 𝑧 = 10 𝑐𝑚.

Source: https://www.analyzemath.com/calculus/multivariable/optimization.html