Math 2011-Introduction to Multivariable Calculus (Edited by Dr.

Hon-Ming HO)
Practice Exercises 12: Extreme Values

Second Derivative Test for Local Extreme Values:

Exercise 1:

Find all points of local maxima, local minima and saddle points, if any, of the following functions. Then find the local extreme
value(s) of the given functions.

a) 𝑧 = 𝑓(𝑥, 𝑦) = 𝑥 2 + 3𝑥𝑦 + 3𝑦 2 − 6𝑥 + 3𝑦 − 6 .
b) 𝑧 = 𝑓(𝑥, 𝑦) = 2𝑥𝑦 − 5𝑥 2 − 2𝑦 2 + 4𝑥 − 4 .
c) 𝑧 = 𝑓(𝑥, 𝑦) = 𝑦 2 + 𝑥𝑦 − 2𝑥 − 2𝑦 + 2 .
d) 𝑧 = 𝑓(𝑥, 𝑦) = 𝑥 3 − 𝑦 3 − 2𝑥𝑦 + 6 .
1
e) 𝑧 = 𝑓(𝑥, 𝑦) = .
𝑥 2 +𝑦 2 −1

Solution to Exercise 1(a):

1) Things to do: Find all critical point(s), if any. How do we find critical points of the given function? Compute both the first order
𝜕𝑓 𝜕𝑓
partial derivatives (𝑥, 𝑦) , (𝑥, 𝑦) . Then treat (𝑎, 𝑏) as a pair of two unknown numbers satisfying both equations
𝜕𝑥 𝜕𝑦
𝜕𝑓 𝜕𝑓 𝜕𝑓
(𝑎, 𝑏) = 0 , (𝑎, 𝑏) = 0 . Point (𝑎, 𝑏) is called a critical point. In this example, we find that (𝑥, 𝑦) = 2𝑥 + 3𝑦 − 6
𝜕𝑥 𝜕𝑦 𝜕𝑥
𝜕𝑓 𝜕𝑓
and (𝑥, 𝑦) = 3𝑥 + 6𝑦 + 3 . Then treat (𝑎, 𝑏) as a pair of two unknown numbers satisfying both equations (𝑎, 𝑏) =
𝜕𝑦 𝜕𝑥
𝜕𝑓 𝜕𝑓 𝜕𝑓
0 , (𝑎, 𝑏) = 0 . Solve the following two linear equations: 0 = (𝑎, 𝑏) = 2𝑎 + 3𝑏 − 6 and 0 = (𝑎, 𝑏) = 3𝑎 + 6𝑏 +
𝜕𝑦 𝜕𝑥 𝜕𝑦
3 .
2𝑎 + 3𝑏 − 6 = 0
{ ⟹ 𝑎 = 15 , 𝑏 = −8 .
3𝑎 + 6𝑏 + 3 = 0

Thus point (15, −8) is a critical point of the function 𝑧 = 𝑓(𝑥, 𝑦) .

2) Things to do: Compute all second order partial derivatives of the given function. Find the sign of 𝐷(𝑎, 𝑏) and the sign of
𝑓𝑥𝑥 (𝑎, 𝑏) . In this example, the second order partial derivatives are given by
𝑓𝑥𝑥 (𝑥, 𝑦) = 2 , 𝑓𝑦𝑦 (𝑥, 𝑦) = 6 , 𝑓𝑥𝑦 (𝑥, 𝑦) = 𝑓𝑦𝑥 (𝑥, 𝑦) = 3 .
2
Thus we have 𝐷(15, −8) = 𝑓𝑥𝑥 (15 , −8)𝑓𝑦𝑦 (15 , −8) − (𝑓𝑥𝑦 (15 , −8)) = (2)(6) − 32 = 3 > 0 and 𝑓𝑥𝑥 (15 , −8) = 2 >
0.

Conclusion: Function 𝑓 attains its local minimum value at point (15 , −8) . The local minimum value of 𝑓 at point (15, −8) is
given by 𝑧 = 𝑓(15 , −8) = −63 .

Practice Exercises 12 (edited by Dr. Hon-Ming HO)-page 1

Solution to Exercise 1(b):

1) Things to do: Find all critical point(s), if any. How do we find critical points of the given function? Compute both the first order
𝜕𝑓 𝜕𝑓
partial derivatives (𝑥, 𝑦) , (𝑥, 𝑦) . Then treat (𝑎, 𝑏) as a pair of two unknown numbers satisfying both equations
𝜕𝑥 𝜕𝑦
𝜕𝑓 𝜕𝑓 𝜕𝑓
(𝑎, 𝑏) = 0 , (𝑎, 𝑏) = 0 . Point (𝑎, 𝑏) is called a critical point. In this example, we find that (𝑥, 𝑦) = 2𝑦 − 10𝑥 + 4
𝜕𝑥 𝜕𝑦 𝜕𝑥
𝜕𝑓 𝜕𝑓
and (𝑥, 𝑦) = 2𝑥 − 4𝑦 . Then treat (𝑎, 𝑏) as a pair of two unknown numbers satisfying both equations (𝑎, 𝑏) = 0 ,
𝜕𝑦 𝜕𝑥
𝜕𝑓 𝜕𝑓 𝜕𝑓
(𝑎, 𝑏) = 0 . Solve the following two linear equations: 0 = (𝑎, 𝑏) = 2𝑏 − 10𝑎 + 4 and 0 = (𝑎, 𝑏) = 2𝑎 − 4𝑏 .
𝜕𝑦 𝜕𝑥 𝜕𝑦
2𝑏 − 10𝑎 + 4 = 0 4 2
{ ⟹ 𝑎= , 𝑏= .
2𝑎 − 4𝑏 =0 9 9
4 2
Thus point ( , ) is a critical point of the function 𝑧 = 𝑓(𝑥, 𝑦) .
9 9
2) Things to do: Compute all second order partial derivatives of the given function. Find the sign of 𝐷(𝑎, 𝑏) and the sign of
𝑓𝑥𝑥 (𝑎, 𝑏) . In this example, the second order partial derivatives are given by
𝑓𝑥𝑥 (𝑥, 𝑦) = −10 , 𝑓𝑦𝑦 (𝑥, 𝑦) = −4 , 𝑓𝑥𝑦 (𝑥, 𝑦) = 𝑓𝑦𝑥 (𝑥, 𝑦) = 2 .
2
4 2 4 2 4 2 4 2 4 2
Thus we have 𝐷 ( , ) = 𝑓𝑥𝑥 ( , ) 𝑓𝑦𝑦 ( , ) − (𝑓𝑥𝑦 ( , )) = (−10)(−4) − 22 = 36 > 0 and 𝑓𝑥𝑥 ( , ) = −10 < 0 .
9 9 9 9 9 9 9 9 9 9

4 2 4 2
Conclusion: Function 𝑓 attains its local maximum value at point ( , ) . The local maximum value of 𝑓 at point ( , ) is given
9 9 9 9
4 2 28
by 𝑧 = 𝑓 ( , ) = − .
9 9 9

Solution to Exercise 1(c):

1) Things to do: Find all critical point(s), if any. How do we find critical points of the given function? Compute both the first order
𝜕𝑓 𝜕𝑓
partial derivatives (𝑥, 𝑦) , (𝑥, 𝑦) . Then treat (𝑎, 𝑏) as a pair of two unknown numbers satisfying both equations
𝜕𝑥 𝜕𝑦
𝜕𝑓 𝜕𝑓 𝜕𝑓
(𝑎, 𝑏) = 0 , (𝑎, 𝑏) = 0 . Point (𝑎, 𝑏) is called a critical point. In this example, we find that (𝑥, 𝑦) = 𝑦 − 2 and
𝜕𝑥 𝜕𝑦 𝜕𝑥
𝜕𝑓 𝜕𝑓
(𝑥, 𝑦) = 2𝑦 + 𝑥 − 2 . Then treat (𝑎, 𝑏) as a pair of two unknown numbers satisfying both equations (𝑎, 𝑏) = 0 ,
𝜕𝑦 𝜕𝑥
𝜕𝑓 𝜕𝑓 𝜕𝑓
(𝑎, 𝑏) = 0 . Solve the following two linear equations: 0 = (𝑎, 𝑏) = 𝑏 − 2 and 0 = (𝑎, 𝑏) = 2𝑏 + 𝑎 − 2 .
𝜕𝑦 𝜕𝑥 𝜕𝑦
𝑏−2 =0
{ ⟹ 𝑎 = −2 , 𝑏=2 .
2𝑏 + 𝑎 − 2 = 0

Thus point (−2, 2) is a critical point of the function 𝑧 = 𝑓(𝑥, 𝑦) .

2) Things to do: Compute all second order partial derivatives of the given function. Find the sign of 𝐷(𝑎, 𝑏) and the sign of
𝑓𝑥𝑥 (𝑎, 𝑏) . In this example, the second order partial derivatives are given by
𝑓𝑥𝑥 (𝑥, 𝑦) = 2 , 𝑓𝑦𝑦 (𝑥, 𝑦) = 6 , 𝑓𝑥𝑦 (𝑥, 𝑦) = 𝑓𝑦𝑥 (𝑥, 𝑦) = 3 .
2
Thus we have 𝐷(−2, 2) = 𝑓𝑥𝑥 (−2, 2)𝑓𝑦𝑦 (−2, 2) − (𝑓𝑥𝑦 (−2, 2)) = (0)(2) − 12 = −1 < 0 .

Conclusion: Function 𝑓 has a saddle point at point (−2 ,2) . The given function neither attains maximum value nor minimum
value at the point (−2 ,2) .

Solution to Exercise 1 (d):

1) Things to do: Find all critical point(s), if any. How do we find critical points of the given function? Compute both the first order
𝜕𝑓 𝜕𝑓
partial derivatives (𝑥, 𝑦) , (𝑥, 𝑦) . Then treat (𝑎, 𝑏) as a pair of two unknown numbers satisfying both equations
𝜕𝑥 𝜕𝑦
𝜕𝑓 𝜕𝑓 𝜕𝑓
(𝑎, 𝑏) = 0 , (𝑎, 𝑏) = 0 . Point (𝑎, 𝑏) is called a critical point. In this example, we find that (𝑥, 𝑦) = 3𝑥 2 − 2𝑦 and
𝜕𝑥 𝜕𝑦 𝜕𝑥
𝜕𝑓 𝜕𝑓
(𝑥, 𝑦) = −3𝑦 2 − 2𝑥 . Then treat (𝑎, 𝑏) as a pair of two unknown numbers satisfying both equations (𝑎, 𝑏) = 0 ,
𝜕𝑦 𝜕𝑥
𝜕𝑓 𝜕𝑓 𝜕𝑓
(𝑎, 𝑏) = 0 . Solve the following two linear equations: 0 = (𝑎, 𝑏) = 3𝑎2 − 2𝑏 and 0 = (𝑎, 𝑏) = −3𝑏 2 − 2𝑎 .
𝜕𝑦 𝜕𝑥 𝜕𝑦

Practice Exercises 12 (edited by Dr. Hon-Ming HO)-page 2

 2 −2 2
{ 3𝑎 2 − 2𝑏 = 0 ⟹ (𝑎 , 𝑏) = (0 ,0) 𝑜𝑟 ( , ) . 𝐖𝐡𝐲?
−3𝑏 − 2𝑎 = 0 3 3
−2 2
Thus points (0 ,0) and ( , ) two critical points of the function 𝑧 = 𝑓(𝑥, 𝑦) .
3 3
2) Things to do: Compute all second order partial derivatives of the given function. Find the sign of 𝐷(𝑎, 𝑏) and the sign of
𝑓𝑥𝑥 (𝑎, 𝑏) . In this example, the second order partial derivatives are given by
𝑓𝑥𝑥 (𝑥, 𝑦) = 6𝑥 , 𝑓𝑦𝑦 (𝑥, 𝑦) = −6𝑦 , 𝑓𝑥𝑦 (𝑥, 𝑦) = 𝑓𝑦𝑥 (𝑥, 𝑦) = −2 .
Thus we have
2
𝐷(0 ,0) = 𝑓𝑥𝑥 (0 ,0)𝑓𝑦𝑦 (0 ,0) − (𝑓𝑥𝑦 (0 ,0)) = (0)(0) − (−2)2 = −4 < 0 .
2
−2 2 −2 2 −2 2 −2 2 −2 2
𝐷( , ) = 𝑓𝑥𝑥 ( , )𝑓 ( , ) − (𝑓𝑥𝑦 ( , )) = (−4)(−4) − (−2)2 = 12 > 0 𝑎𝑛𝑑 𝑓𝑥𝑥 ( , ) = −4 .
3 3 3 3 𝑦𝑦 3 3 3 3 3 3

−2 2
Conclusion: Function 𝑓 has a saddle point at point (𝟎 , 𝟎) . Function 𝑓 attains its local maximum value at point ( , ) . The
3 3
−2 2 170
maximum value of 𝑓 at point ( , ) is given by .
3 3 27

Solution to Exercise 1 (e):

𝜕𝑓 −2𝑥 𝜕𝑓 −2𝑦
Notice that (𝑥, 𝑦) = and (𝑥, 𝑦) = . We solve the following two equations for the unknowns (𝑎 , 𝑏) .
𝜕𝑥 (𝑥 2 +𝑦 2 −1)2 𝜕𝑦 (𝑥 2 +𝑦 2 −1)2

−2𝑎
=0
(𝑎2 + 𝑏 2 − 1)2
⟹ (𝑎 , 𝑏) = (0 ,0) 𝑤ℎ𝑖𝑐ℎ 𝑖𝑠 𝑡ℎ𝑒 𝑜𝑛𝑙𝑦 𝑐𝑟𝑖𝑡𝑖𝑐𝑎𝑙 𝑝𝑜𝑖𝑛𝑡 𝑜𝑓 𝑓 .
−2𝑏
=0
{(𝑎2 + 𝑏 2 − 1)2

Moreover, the second order partial derivatives are given by

4𝑥 2 − 2𝑦 2 + 2 −2𝑥 2 + 4𝑦 2 + 2 8𝑥𝑦
𝑓𝑥𝑥 (𝑥, 𝑦) = , 𝑓𝑦𝑦 (𝑥, 𝑦) = , 𝑓𝑥𝑦 (𝑥, 𝑦) = .
(𝑥 2 + 𝑦 2 − 1)3 (𝑥 2 + 𝑦 2 − 1)3 (𝑥 2 + 𝑦 2 − 1)3

2
Then 𝐷(0 ,0) = 𝑓𝑥𝑥 (0 ,0)𝑓𝑦𝑦 (0 ,0) − (𝑓𝑥𝑦 (0 ,0)) = (−2)(−2) − (0)2 = 4 > 0 and 𝑓𝑥𝑥 (0 ,0) = −2 < 0 . Thus the given
function 𝑓 attains its local maximum value at the origin of the 3-space.

Extreme-Value Theorem:

Suppose that 𝐴 is a closed and bounded region on the 𝑥𝑦-plane. If a function 𝑧 = 𝑓(𝑥, 𝑦) , defined on the region 𝐴 , is
continuous at each point of 𝐴 , then such a function must attain its maximum and minimum value at points in region 𝐴 . That
is, if we know that 𝑧 = 𝑓(𝑥, 𝑦) is continuous at each point of 𝐴 , then there must exist at two points (𝑥1 , 𝑦1 ) and (𝑥2 , 𝑦2 )
in the region 𝐴 such that 𝑓(𝑥1 , 𝑦1 ) = max 𝑓(𝑥, 𝑦) and 𝑓(𝑥2 , 𝑦2 ) = min 𝑓(𝑥, 𝑦) .
(𝑥 ,𝑦) 𝑖𝑛 𝐴 (𝑥 ,𝑦) 𝑖𝑛 𝐴

Remark:

The two points (𝑥1 , 𝑦1 ) and (𝑥2 , 𝑦2 ) mentioned above either occur in the interior of the region 𝐴 or on the boundary curve
of the region 𝐴 .

Theorem (First Derivative Test for Local Extreme Values):

If 𝑧 = 𝑓(𝑥, 𝑦) has a local maximum or minimum value at an interior point (𝑎, 𝑏) of its domain and if the first partial
𝜕𝑓 𝜕𝑓
derivatives exist there, then we must have (𝑎, 𝑏) = 0 = (𝑎, 𝑏) .
𝜕𝑥 𝜕𝑦

Practice Exercises 12 (edited by Dr. Hon-Ming HO)-page 3

Exercise 2:

Find the absolute maxima and minima of the functions below on the given domains.

a) Function 𝑧 = 𝑓(𝑥, 𝑦) = 2𝑥 2 − 4𝑥 + 𝑦 2 − 4𝑦 + 1 on the closed triangular plate bounded by lines 𝑥 = 0 , 𝑦 = 2 , 𝑦 =

2𝑥 in the first quadrant.
b) Function 𝑧 = 𝑓(𝑥, 𝑦) = 𝑥 2 + 𝑥𝑦 + 𝑦 2 − 6𝑥 on the rectangular plate 0 ≤ 𝑥 ≤ 5 , −3 ≤ 𝑦 ≤ 3 .

Solution to Exercise 2a):

1) Things to do: Search for all boundary point(s), if any, of the given region at which function
𝑦
𝑓 has local maxima and local minima. Then evaluate function 𝑓 at these points.
𝐴 𝐵(1,2)
a. On the line segment 𝑂𝐴 : when we feed points of the line segment 𝑂𝐴 to
function 𝑓 , function 𝑓 produces
𝑧 = 𝑓(0 , 𝑦) = 𝑦 2 − 4𝑦 + 1 where 0 ≤ 𝑦 ≤ 2 ;
Thus if we use a vertical plane 𝑦𝑧-plane to cut the graph of 𝑧 = 𝑓(𝑥, 𝑦) , then the
trace on the cutting plane is an upward expanding parabola with equation 𝑧 =
𝑥
𝑓(0 , 𝑦) = 𝑦 2 − 4𝑦 + 1 . Since 𝑓 ′ (0 , 𝑦) = 2𝑦 − 4 , the trace (i.e. the curve)
0
decreases from 𝑦 = 0 to 𝑦 = 2 . We have 𝒇(𝟎 , 𝟎) = 𝟏 , 𝒇(𝟎 , 𝟐) = −𝟑 .
b. On the line segment 𝐴𝐵 : when we feed points of the line segment 𝐴𝐵 to
function 𝑓 , function 𝑓 produces
𝑧 = 𝑓(𝑥 ,2) = 2𝑥 2 − 4𝑥 + 22 − 4(2) + 1 = 2𝑥 2 − 4𝑥 − 3 where 0 ≤ 𝑥 ≤ 1 .
Since 𝑓 ′ (𝑥, 2) = 4𝑥 − 4 , the trace decreases from 𝑥 = 0 to 𝑥 = 1 . Thus
function 𝑓 attains its maximum and minimum value along the line segment 𝐴𝐵
at the end points 𝑥 = 0 and 𝑥 = 1 respectively. We have 𝒇(𝟎 , 𝟐) = −𝟑 and
𝒇(𝟏 , 𝟐) = −𝟓 .
c. On the line segment 𝑂𝐵 : when we feed points of the line segment 𝑂𝐵 to
function 𝑓 , function 𝑓 produces
𝑧 = 𝑓(𝑥 ,2𝑥) = 6𝑥 2 − 12𝑥 + 1 where 0 ≤ 𝑥 ≤ 1 .
𝑑
Since [𝑓(𝑥 ,2𝑥)] = 12𝑥 − 12 , the trace decreases from 𝑥 = 0 to 𝑥 = 1 .
𝑑𝑥
Thus function 𝑓 attains its maximum and minimum value along the line segment
𝑂𝐵 at the end points 𝑥 = 0 and 𝑥 = 1 respectively. We have 𝒇(𝟎 , 𝟎) = 𝟏 and
𝒇(𝟏 , 𝟐) = −𝟓 .
2) Things to do: Search for all interior point(s), if any, of the given region at which function 𝑓
has local maxima and local minima. Then evaluate function 𝑓 at these points. In this
example, we apply the First Derivative Test for Local Extreme Values. If function 𝑓 has a
local extreme value in the interior of the triangular region, say point (𝑎 , 𝑏) , then we must
have
𝜕𝑓 𝜕𝑓
(𝑎, 𝑏) = 0 = (𝑎, 𝑏) .
𝜕𝑥 𝜕𝑦
𝜕𝑓 𝜕𝑓
Calculation shows that = 4𝑥 − 4 and = 2𝑦 − 4 . Thus such an interior point of the
𝜕𝑥 𝜕𝑦
𝜕𝑓
region DOES NOT EXIST!! Otherwise, it leads us to a contradiction because (𝑎, 𝑏) = 0 =
𝜕𝑥
𝜕𝑓
(𝑎, 𝑏) implies that (𝑎 , 𝑏) = (1 ,2) but point (1 ,2) is not an interior point of the
𝜕𝑦
region, it is a boundary point of the region.
3) Things to do: Find out the absolute maximum and absolute minimum values of the given
function on the stated region by comparing the maxima and minima obtained in steps 1)
and 2). In this example, we list out values of 𝑓 obtained in step 1) and 2). We have
𝒇(𝟎 , 𝟎) = 𝟏 , 𝒇(𝟎 , 𝟐) = −𝟑 , 𝒇(𝟏 , 𝟐) = −𝟓 . Thus, the absolute maximum value of 𝑓
over the triangular region is given by 𝑓( 0 ,0) = 1 and the absolute minimum value of 𝑓
over the triangular region is given by 𝑓(1 ,2) = −5 .

Practice Exercises 12 (edited by Dr. Hon-Ming HO)-page 4

Solution to Exercise 2b):

1) Things to do: Search for all boundary point(s), if any, of the given region at which 𝑦
function 𝑓 has local maxima and local minima. Then evaluate function 𝑓 at these
points. 𝐵(0,3) 𝐶(5,3)
a. On the line segment 𝐴𝐵 , when we feed points of the line segment 𝐴𝐵 to
function 𝑓 , function 𝑓 produces
𝑧 = 𝑓(0, 𝑦) = 𝑦 2 where − 3 ≤ 𝑦 ≤ 3 .
If we cut the graph of the given function 𝑓 by a cutting plane 𝑦𝑧-plane, on
the cutting plane we obtain a trace which is an upward expanding parabola
with equation 𝑧 = 𝑦 2 . Thus function 𝑓 attains its maximum and minimum 𝑥
value along the line segment 𝐴𝐵 at points (0 , −3) , (0 ,3) , (0 ,0) . We have 0
𝑓(0,0) = 0 , 𝑓(0 ,3) = 9 , 𝑓(0, −3) = 9 .
b. On the line segment 𝐵𝐶 , when we feed points of the line segment 𝐵𝐶 to
function 𝑓 , function 𝑓 produces
𝑧 = 𝑓(𝑥 ,3) = 𝑥 2 − 3𝑥 + 9 𝑤ℎ𝑒𝑟𝑒 0 ≤ 𝑥 ≤ 5 .
𝑑
Since [𝑓(𝑥 ,3)] = 2𝑥 − 3 , the trace on the cutting plane 𝑦=3
𝑑𝑥 𝐴(0 , −3) 𝐷(5 , −3)
3 3
decreases from 𝑥 = 0 to 𝑥 = and then increases from 𝑥 = to 𝑥 = 5 .
2 2
Thus function 𝑓 attains its maximum and minimum value along the line
3
segment 𝐵𝐶 at points (0 ,0) , ( ,3) , (5 ,3) . We have
2
3 27
𝑓(0,3) = 9 , 𝑓 ( ,3) = , 𝑓(5, 3) = 19 .
2 4
c. On the line segment 𝐶𝐷 , when we feed points of the line segment 𝐶𝐷 to
function 𝑓 , function 𝑓 produces
𝑧 = 𝑓(5, 𝑦) = 𝑦 2 + 5𝑦 − 5 where − 3 ≤ 𝑦 ≤ 3 .
𝑑
Since [𝑓(5 , 𝑦)] = 2𝑦 + 5 , the trace on the cutting plane 𝑥 = 3
𝑑𝑥
−5 −5
decreases from 𝑦 = −3 to 𝑦 = and then increases from 𝑦 = to 𝑦 =
2 2
−5 −45
3 . We have 𝑓(5, −3) = −11 , 𝑓 (5 , )= , 𝑓(5, 3) = 19 .
2 4
d. On the line segment 𝐷𝐴 , when we feed points of the line segment 𝐷𝐴 to
function 𝑓 , function 𝑓 produces
𝑧 = 𝑓(𝑥 , −3) = 𝑥 2 − 9𝑥 + 9 𝑤ℎ𝑒𝑟𝑒 0 ≤ 𝑥 ≤ 5 .
𝑑
Since [𝑓(𝑥 , −3)] = 2𝑥 − 9 , the trace on the cutting plane 𝑦 = −3
𝑑𝑥
9 9
decreases from 𝑥 = 0 to 𝑥 = and then increases from 𝑥 = to 𝑥 = 5 .
2 2
Thus function 𝑓 attains its maximum and minimum value along the line
9
segment 𝐴𝐷 at points (0 , −3) , ( , −3) , (5 , −3) . We have
2
9 −45
𝑓(0, −3) = 9 , 𝑓 ( , −3) = , 𝑓(5, −3) = −11 .
2 4

2) Things to do: Search for all interior point(s), if any, of the given region at which function 𝑓 has local maxima and local minima.
Then evaluate function 𝑓 at these points. In this example, for interior points of the rectangular region,
𝜕𝑓 𝜕𝑓
(𝑎, 𝑏) = 0 = (𝑎, 𝑏) ⟹ 2𝑎 + 𝑏 − 6 = 0 = 𝑎 + 2𝑏 ⟹ (𝑎 , 𝑏) = (4 , −2) .
𝜕𝑥 𝜕𝑦
We notice that point (4, −2) is an interior point of the given rectangular region with functional value 𝒇(𝟒, −𝟐) = −𝟏𝟐 .
3) Things to do: Find out the absolute maximum and absolute minimum values of the given function on the stated region by
comparing the maxima and minima obtained in steps 1) and 2). In this example, we list out values of 𝑓 obtained in step 1)
3 27 −5
and 2). We have 𝑓(0,0) = 0 , 𝑓(0 ,3) = 9 , 𝑓(0, −3) = 9 , 𝑓 ( ,3) = , 𝑓(5, 3) = 19 , 𝑓(5, −3) = −11 , 𝑓 (5 , )=
2 4 2
−45 9 −45
, 𝑓 ( , −3) = , 𝒇(𝟒, −𝟐) = −𝟏𝟐 . Therefore, the absolute maximum value of the given function 𝑓 is given by 19
4 2 4
occurring at point (5 ,3) and the absolute minimum value over the rectangular region is given by −12 at point (4 , −2) .

Practice Exercises 12 (edited by Dr. Hon-Ming HO)-page 5