Chapter 11: Problem 24
Examine the function for relative extrema and saddle points. $$ g(x, y)=x y $$
Short Answer
Expert verified
(0,0) is a saddle point of the function \(g(x, y)=x y\)
Step by step solution
01
Compute the First Partial Derivatives
For any function of two variables, start by finding its first-order partial derivatives with respect to x and y:The first partial derivative of \(g\) with respect to \(x\) is \(g_x(x, y) = y\). The first partial derivative of \(g\) with respect to \(y\) is \(g_y(x, y) = x.\)
02
Set Both First Partial Derivatives to Zero
Setting \(g_x = y = 0\) and \(g_y = x = 0\), any point that makes both of these true is a critical point. In this case, it's evident that \((0,0)\) is the only critical point.
03
Compute the Second Partial Derivatives
The second partial derivatives are:\(g_{xx}(x, y) = 0\), \(g_{yy}(x, y) = 0\), and \(g_{xy}=g_{yx} = 1\)
04
Apply the Second Partials Test
The second partials test uses the discriminant \(D = g_{xx}g_{yy} - g_{xy}^2\). If \(D > 0\) and \(g_{xx}\) (or \(g_{yy}\)) is positive at the critical point, the function has a local minimum. If \(D > 0\) and \(g_{xx}\) (or \(g_{yy}\)) is negative, the function has a local maximum. If \(D < 0\), the function has a saddle point. For the test to be inconclusive, \(D = 0\).For the critical point (0,0), \(D = g_{xx}(0,0)g_{yy}(0,0) - g_{xy}(0,0)^2 = 0(0) - 1^2 = -1<0\)
05
Determine the nature of the Critical Point
Because the discriminant \(D\) is less than zero at the critical point \((0,0)\), this means that \((0,0)\) is a saddle point of the function \(g(x, y)=x y\).
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Key Concepts
These are the key concepts you need to understand to accurately answer the question.
Partial Derivatives
Partial derivatives are a fundamental tool in multivariable calculus. They offer insights into the behavior of functions with multiple variables. In a function with two variables, such as our function \[g(x, y) = xy\], we calculate the partial derivative with respect to one variable while treating the other as a constant.
- The partial derivative with respect to \(x\) is denoted as \(g_x(x, y)\). For \(g(x, y) = xy\), this results in \(g_x = y\), implying that the derivative with respect to \(x\) is equal to the constant \(y\).
- Similarly, the partial derivative with respect to \(y\) is \(g_y(x, y)\), which results in \(g_y = x\), meaning the derivative with respect to \(y\) keeps \(x\) constant and is equal to \(x\).
Critical Points
Critical points are the values of the variables where a function does not change, indicating potential maxima, minima, or saddle points. To find these in a function of two variables, we set both first partial derivatives to zero.For our function,
- Set \(g_x = y = 0\) and \(g_y = x = 0\).
- This provides the critical point at \((0, 0)\).
Second Partials Test
The Second Partials Test, also known as the Hessian determinant test, is a method used to classify critical points of a function of two variables. After identifying the critical points, we compute second partial derivatives to form a determinant, which helps in determining the nature of these critical points.For the function \(g(x, y) = xy\):
- Calculate the second derivatives: \(g_{xx} = 0\), \(g_{yy} = 0\), and \(g_{xy} = g_{yx} = 1\).
- The discriminant \(D\) is calculated using \(D = g_{xx}g_{yy} - (g_{xy})^2\).
- \(D > 0\) and \(g_{xx} > 0\): local minimum.
- \(D > 0\) and \(g_{xx} < 0\): local maximum.
- \(D < 0\): saddle point.
- \(D = 0\): test is inconclusive.
Saddle Points
Saddle points are critical points where the function doesn't produce a local max or min. Instead, the surface symmetrically dips below and rises above the level of the saddle point, much like a horse saddle. They are characterized by the Second Partials Test when \(D < 0\). For our function \(g(x, y) = xy\) at the critical point \((0,0)\),
- The second partials test returned \(D = -1\), confirming a saddle point.
- This means around (0, 0), the surface neither strictly dips nor rises.