Chapter 14: Problem 16
Find the local maximum and minimum values and saddle point(s) of the function. If you have three-dimensional graphing software, graph the function with a domain and viewpoint that reveal all the important aspects of the function. $$f(x, y)=e^{y}\left(y^{2}-x^{2}\right)$$
Short Answer
Expert verified
The function has a saddle point at (0, -2); the test is inconclusive at (0, 0).
Step by step solution
01
Find the First Partial Derivatives
First, we need to find the partial derivatives \(f_x\) and \(f_y\) of the function \(f(x, y) = e^y (y^2 - x^2)\). The partial derivative with respect to \(x\) is:\[ f_x = \frac{\partial}{\partial x}(e^y (y^2 - x^2)) = -2x e^y \]The partial derivative with respect to \(y\) is:\[ f_y = \frac{\partial}{\partial y}(e^y (y^2 - x^2)) = e^y (2y) + e^y (y^2 - x^2) = e^y (2y + y^2 - x^2) \]
02
Solve for Critical Points
To find the critical points, set both partial derivatives to zero.Set \( f_x = -2x e^y = 0 \):Since \(e^y eq 0\), we have \(x = 0\).Set \( f_y = e^y (2y + y^2 - x^2) = 0 \):\(e^y (2y + y^2 - x^2) = 0\) implies \(2y + y^2 - x^2 = 0\).Using \(x = 0\):\(2y + y^2 = 0\)Solving \(y(y+2) = 0\) gives \(y = 0\) or \(y = -2\).Thus, the critical points are \((0, 0)\) and \((0, -2)\).
03
Use Second Derivative Test
To classify these critical points, compute the second partial derivatives. Calculate:- \(f_{xx} = \frac{\partial}{\partial x}(-2x e^y) = -2e^y\)- \(f_{yy} = \frac{\partial}{\partial y}(e^y (2y + y^2 - x^2)) = e^y(2 + 2y) + e^y(2y + y^2 - x^2) = e^y(2 + 4y + y^2 - x^2)\)- \(f_{xy} = \frac{\partial}{\partial y}(-2x e^y) = -2xe^y\)The determinant of the Hessian matrix is given by:\[ H = f_{xx}f_{yy} - (f_{xy})^2 \]
04
Analyze the Critical Points
Evaluate at \((0, 0)\):\[f_{xx}(0, 0) = -2, \quad f_{yy}(0, 0) = 0, \quad f_{xy}(0, 0) = 0\]\[H(0, 0) = (-2)(0) - (0)^2 = 0\]When \(H = 0\), the test is inconclusive at \((0, 0)\).Evaluate at \((0, -2)\):\[f_{xx}(0, -2) = -2e^{-2}, \quad f_{yy}(0, -2) = e^{-2}\]\[H(0, -2) = (-2e^{-2})(e^{-2}) - (0)^2 = -2e^{-4} < 0\]Since \(H(0, -2) < 0\), \((0, -2)\) is a saddle point.
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Key Concepts
These are the key concepts you need to understand to accurately answer the question.
Critical Points
In multivariable calculus, a critical point of a function is a point where the gradient (or all first partial derivatives) is zero or undefined. For a function of two variables, such as \[ f(x, y) = e^{y}(y^2 - x^2) \], finding critical points involves setting both partial derivatives with respect to each variable equal to zero.
- The partial derivative with respect to \(x\), \( f_x \), provides the slope of the function in the \(x\) direction.
- The partial derivative with respect to \(y\), \( f_y \), represents the slope in the \(y\) direction.
Partial Derivatives
Partial derivatives are crucial in multivariable calculus. They indicate how a function changes as one of the variables changes, while all other variables are held constant. In a function of two variables like \[ f(x, y) = e^y(y^2 - x^2) \], you will find:
- \( f_x \), the partial derivative with respect to \(x\), computed by differentiating while considering \(y\) as constant.
- \( f_y \), the partial derivative with respect to \(y\), found by differentiating while keeping \(x\) constant.
Hessian Matrix
The Hessian matrix is a square matrix of second-order partial derivatives of a scalar-valued function. It's essential for determining the nature of critical points. For a function \( f(x, y) \), the Hessian matrix \( H \) is structured as:\[H = \begin{bmatrix}f_{xx} & f_{xy} \f_{yx} & f_{yy}\end{bmatrix}\]
- \( f_{xx} \) and \( f_{yy} \) are the second partial derivatives of \( f \) with respect to \( x \) and \( y \) respectively.
- \( f_{xy} = f_{yx} \) is the mixed partial derivative.
Second Derivative Test
The second derivative test in multivariable calculus is a method used to classify critical points of a function. It involves the Hessian matrix and helps decide if a critical point is a local minimum, local maximum, or a saddle point.For each critical point, compute the determinant of the Hessian matrix \( H \). This is given by \( H = f_{xx}f_{yy} - (f_{xy})^2 \).
- If \( H > 0 \) and \( f_{xx} > 0 \), the point is a local minimum.
- If \( H > 0 \) and \( f_{xx} < 0 \), the point is a local maximum.
- If \( H < 0 \), the point is a saddle point.
- If \( H = 0 \), the test is inconclusive.