Chapter 14: Partial Derivatives

Vinh Nguyen

De Anza College

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 Section 14.7: Maximum and
Minimum Values

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Local Maximum and Minimum Values

Definition
A function of two variables has a local maximum at (a,b) if
f (x, y ) ≤ f (a, b) when (x, y ) is near (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, b) and f (a, b) is a local minimum value.

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Local Maximum and Minimum Values
Theorem
If f has a local maximum or minimum at (a, b) and the first-order partial
derivatives of f exist there, then fx (a, b) = 0 and fy (a, b) = 0

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Local Maximum and Minimum Values
Theorem
If f has a local maximum or minimum at (a, b) and the first-order partial
derivatives of f exist there, then fx (a, b) = 0 and fy (a, b) = 0

If we put fx (a, b) = 0 and fy (a, b) = 0 in the equation of a tangent plane

z − z0 = fx (x0 , y0 )(x − x0 ) + fy (x0 , y0 )(y − y0 )
We get z = z0 . Thus, the geometric interpretation of this theorem is that
if the graph of f has a tangent plane at a local maximum or minimum, the
tangent plane must be horizontal.

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Local Maximum and Minimum Values
Theorem
If f has a local maximum or minimum at (a, b) and the first-order partial
derivatives of f exist there, then fx (a, b) = 0 and fy (a, b) = 0

If we put fx (a, b) = 0 and fy (a, b) = 0 in the equation of a tangent plane

z − z0 = fx (x0 , y0 )(x − x0 ) + fy (x0 , y0 )(y − y0 )
We get z = z0 . Thus, the geometric interpretation of this theorem is that
if the graph of f has a tangent plane at a local maximum or minimum, the
tangent plane must be horizontal.
Definition
A point (a,b) is called critical point of f if fx (a, b) = 0 and fy (a, b) = 0,
or if one of these partial derivatives does not exist.

Vinh Nguyen (De Anza College) Chapter 14: Partial Derivatives 4 / 20

Local Maximum and Minimum Values
Theorem
If f has a local maximum or minimum at (a, b) and the first-order partial
derivatives of f exist there, then fx (a, b) = 0 and fy (a, b) = 0

If we put fx (a, b) = 0 and fy (a, b) = 0 in the equation of a tangent plane

z − z0 = fx (x0 , y0 )(x − x0 ) + fy (x0 , y0 )(y − y0 )
We get z = z0 . Thus, the geometric interpretation of this theorem is that
if the graph of f has a tangent plane at a local maximum or minimum, the
tangent plane must be horizontal.
Definition
A point (a,b) is called critical point of f if fx (a, b) = 0 and fy (a, b) = 0,
or if one of these partial derivatives does not exist.

This theorem says that if f has a local maximum or minimum at (a, b),
then (a, b) is a critical point of f .
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Example 1

Example
Let f (x, y ) = x 2 + y 2 − 2x − 6y + 14. Find the critical point of f .

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Example 1

Example
Let f (x, y ) = x 2 + y 2 − 2x − 6y + 14. Find the critical point of f .

fx = 2x − 2 and fy = 2y − 6
These partial derivatives are equal to 0 when x = 1 and y = 3. So the
only critical point is (1, 3)
Later we will use the second derivative test to show this critical point
(1, 3) is a local minimum of f , where f (1, 3) = 4

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Example 2

Example
Find the extreme values of f (x, y ) = y 2 − x 2

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Example 2

Example
Find the extreme values of f (x, y ) = y 2 − x 2

Vinh Nguyen (De Anza College) Chapter 14: Partial Derivatives 6 / 20

Example 2

Example
Find the extreme values of f (x, y ) = y 2 − x 2

fx = −2x and fy = 2y , the only critical point is (0, 0).

Notice that for points on the x-axis, we have y = 0, so f (x, y ) = −x 2 < 0.
Also, for the points on the y-axis we have x = 0, so f (x, y ) = y 2 > 0.
Thus every disk with center (0, 0) contains points where f takes on
positive values as well as points where f takes on negative values.
Therefore f (0, 0) = 0 cannot be an extreme value for f . So, f has no
extreme value.
Vinh Nguyen (De Anza College) Chapter 14: Partial Derivatives 6 / 20
Example 2

Example
Find the extreme values of f (x, y ) = y 2 − x 2

fx = −2x and fy = 2y , the only critical point is (0, 0).

Notice that for points on the x-axis, we have y = 0, so f (x, y ) = −x 2 < 0.
Also, for the points on the y-axis we have x = 0, so f (x, y ) = y 2 > 0.
Thus every disk with center (0, 0) contains points where f takes on
positive values as well as points where f takes on negative values.
Therefore f (0, 0) = 0 cannot be an extreme value for f . So, f has no
extreme value. In this case. we say that (a, b) is a saddle point of f .
Vinh Nguyen (De Anza College) Chapter 14: Partial Derivatives 6 / 20
Second Derivatives Test

Second Derivative Test

Suppose the second partial derivatives of f are continuous on a disk with
center (a, b), and suppose that fx (a, b) = 0 and fy (a, b) = 0 [so (a, b) is a
critical point of f .] Let

D = D(a, b) = fxx (a, b)fyy (a, b) − [fxy (a, b)]2

1 If D > 0 and fxx (a, b) > 0, then f (a, b) is a local minimum.

2 If D > 0 and fxx (a, b) < 0, then f (a, b) is a local maximum.
3 If D < 0, then (a, b) is a saddle point of f .

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Example 3

Example
Find the local maximum and minimum values and saddle points of
f (x, y ) = 10x 2 y − 5x 2 − 4y 2 − x 4 − 2y 4

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Example 3

Example
Find the local maximum and minimum values and saddle points of
f (x, y ) = 10x 2 y − 5x 2 − 4y 2 − x 4 − 2y 4

fx = 20xy − 10x − 4x 3 and fy = 10x 2 − 8y − 8y 3

To find the critical points we need to solve the equations

2x(10y − 5 − 2x 2 ) = 0
5x 2 − 4y − 4y 3 = 0

Vinh Nguyen (De Anza College) Chapter 14: Partial Derivatives 8 / 20

Example 3

Example
Find the local maximum and minimum values and saddle points of
f (x, y ) = 10x 2 y − 5x 2 − 4y 2 − x 4 − 2y 4

fx = 20xy − 10x − 4x 3 and fy = 10x 2 − 8y − 8y 3

To find the critical points we need to solve the equations

2x(10y − 5 − 2x 2 ) = 0
5x 2 − 4y − 4y 3 = 0

So the critical points are: (0, 0)(local max) , (±2.64, 1.90)(local

max), (±0.86, 0.65) (saddle point)

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Example 3

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Example 4

Example
Find the local maximum and minimum values and saddle points of
f (x, y ) = x 4 + y 4 − 4xy + 1

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Example 4

Example
Find the local maximum and minimum values and saddle points of
f (x, y ) = x 4 + y 4 − 4xy + 1

fx = 4x 3 − 4y = 0 and fy = 4y 3 − 4x = 0 So, the critical points are

(0, 0)(saddle point), (1, 1) (local min) and (−1, −1)(local min)

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Example 5
Example
Find the shortest distance from the point (1, 0, −2) to the plane
x + 2y + z = 4

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Example 5
Example
Find the shortest distance from the point (1, 0, −2) to the plane
x + 2y + z = 4

distance from away point (x, y , z) to the point (1, 0, −2) is

The p
d = p(x − 1)2 + y 2 + (z + 2)2 .
d = (x − 1)2 + y 2 + ((4 − x − 2y ) + 2)2

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Example 5
Example
Find the shortest distance from the point (1, 0, −2) to the plane
x + 2y + z = 4

The pdistance from away point (x, y , z) to the point (1, 0, −2) is
d = p(x − 1)2 + y 2 + (z + 2)2 .
d = (x − 1)2 + y 2 + ((4 − x − 2y ) + 2)2
We can minimize d by minimizing the simpler expression
d 2 = f (x, y ) = (x − 1)2 + y 2 + (6 − x − 2y )2
By solving the equations
fx = 2(x − 1) − 2(6 − x − 2y ) = 4x + 4y − 14 = 0
fy = 2y − 4(6 − x − 2y ) = 4x + 10y − 24 = 0
 
11 5
We find that the only critical point is , (local min).
6 3

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Example 5
Example
Find the shortest distance from the point (1, 0, −2) to the plane
x + 2y + z = 4

The pdistance from away point (x, y , z) to the point (1, 0, −2) is
d = p(x − 1)2 + y 2 + (z + 2)2 .
d = (x − 1)2 + y 2 + ((4 − x − 2y ) + 2)2
We can minimize d by minimizing the simpler expression
d 2 = f (x, y ) = (x − 1)2 + y 2 + (6 − x − 2y )2
By solving the equations
fx = 2(x − 1) − 2(6 − x − 2y ) = 4x + 4y − 14 = 0
fy = 2y − 4(6 − x − 2y ) = 4x + 10y − 24 = 0
 
11 5
We find that the only critical point is , (local min). The short
6 3
5√
distance d = 6.
6
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Example 6

Example
A rectangular box without a lid is to made from 12m2 of cardboard. Find
the maximum volume of such a box.

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Example 6

Example
A rectangular box without a lid is to made from 12m2 of cardboard. Find
the maximum volume of such a box.
Let the length, width, and height of the box (in meters) by x, y , z. Then
volume of the box is V = xyz.

Vinh Nguyen (De Anza College) Chapter 14: Partial Derivatives 12 / 20

Example 6

Example
A rectangular box without a lid is to made from 12m2 of cardboard. Find
the maximum volume of such a box.
Let the length, width, and height of the box (in meters) by x, y , z. Then
volume of the box is V = xyz.We can express V as function of two
variables x and y by using the fact that the area of the four sides and the
12 − xy
bottom of the box is 2xz + 2yz + xy = 12 ⇒ z = . So the
2(x + y )
expression for V becomes:

12 − xy xy − x 2 y 2
V = xy =
2(x + y ) 2(x + y )

Vinh Nguyen (De Anza College) Chapter 14: Partial Derivatives 12 / 20

Example 6

Example
A rectangular box without a lid is to made from 12m2 of cardboard. Find
the maximum volume of such a box.
Let the length, width, and height of the box (in meters) by x, y , z. Then
volume of the box is V = xyz.We can express V as function of two
variables x and y by using the fact that the area of the four sides and the
12 − xy
bottom of the box is 2xz + 2yz + xy = 12 ⇒ z = . So the
2(x + y )
expression for V becomes:

12 − xy xy − x 2 y 2
V = xy =
2(x + y ) 2(x + y )

∂V y 2 (12 − 2xy − x 2 ) ∂V x 2 (12 − 2xy − y 2

= = 0 and = =0
∂x 2(x+)2 ∂y 2(x + y )2
Vinh Nguyen (De Anza College) Chapter 14: Partial Derivatives 12 / 20
Example 6

∂V ∂V
If V is a maximum, then = = 0, but x = 0, y = 0 ⇒ V = 0. So,
∂x ∂y

12 − 2xy − x 2 = 0 and 12 − 2xy − y 2 = 0

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Example 6

∂V ∂V
If V is a maximum, then = = 0, but x = 0, y = 0 ⇒ V = 0. So,
∂x ∂y

12 − 2xy − x 2 = 0 and 12 − 2xy − y 2 = 0

x = 2, y = 2 and z = 1

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Example 6

∂V ∂V
If V is a maximum, then = = 0, but x = 0, y = 0 ⇒ V = 0. So,
∂x ∂y

12 − 2xy − x 2 = 0 and 12 − 2xy − y 2 = 0

x = 2, y = 2 and z = 1 The maximum volume of the box is

V = 2 · 2 · 1 = 4m3

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Absolute Maximum and Minimum Values

Defintion
Let (a, b) be a point in the domain D of a function f of two variables.
Then f (a, b) is the
1 absolute maximum value of f on D if f (a, b) ≥ f (x, y ) for all
(x, y ) in D.
2 absolute minimum value of f on D if f (a, b) ≤ f (x, y ) for all (x, y )
in D.

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Closed Set

Definition
A closed set in R2 is one that contains all its boundary points.[A
boundary point of D is a point (a, b) such that every disk with center
(a, b) contains points in D and also points not in D.]

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Closed Set

Definition
A closed set in R2 is one that contains all its boundary points.[A
boundary point of D is a point (a, b) such that every disk with center
(a, b) contains points in D and also points not in D.]

For instance, the disk

D = {(x, y ) | x 2 + y 2 ≤ 1}

which consists of all points on or inside the circle x 2 + y 2 = 1, is a closed

set because it contains all of its boundary points.

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Bounded Set

Definition
A bounded set in R2 is one that is contained within some disk. In other
words, it is finite in extent.

Theorem
Extreme Value theorem for Functions of Two Variables If f is continuous
on a closed, bounded set D in R2 , then f attains ab absolute maximum
value f (x1 , y1 ) and an absolute minimum value f (x2 , y2 ) at some points
(x1 , y1 ) nad (x2 , y2 ) in D.

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Absolute Maximum and Minimum Values

How to find the absolute maximum and minimum values

To find the absolute maximum and minimum values of a continuous
function f on a closed, bounded set D :
1 Find the values of f at the critical points of f in D.
2 Find the extreme values of f on the boundary of D.
3 The largest of the values from steps 1 and 2 is the absolute maximum
value; the smallest of these values is the absolute minimum value.

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Example 7

Example
Find the absolute maximum and minimum values of the function

f (x, y ) = x 2 − 2xy + 2y

on the rectangle D = {(x, y ) | 0 ≤ x ≤ 3, 0 ≤ y ≤ 2}

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Example 7

Example
Find the absolute maximum and minimum values of the function

f (x, y ) = x 2 − 2xy + 2y

on the rectangle D = {(x, y ) | 0 ≤ x ≤ 3, 0 ≤ y ≤ 2}

Since f is a polynomial, it is continuous on the closed, bounded rectangle

D, so theorem tells us there is both an absolute max and an absolute min.
We first find the critical points. fx = 2x − 2y = 0 and fx = −2x + 2 = 0.
This implies the only critical point is (1, 1). This point is in D and the
value of f there is f (1, 1) = 1.

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Example 7

We loot at the values of f on the boundary of D, which consists of the

four line segments L1 , L2 , L3 , L4 shown as figure above.
On L1 , we have y = 0 and f (x, y ) = f (x, 0) = x 2 , 0 ≤ x ≤ 3. This is a
parabola and increasing function of x, so its minimum value is f (0, 0) = 0
and its maximum value is f (3, 2) = 9.
Similar, on L2 , we have
x = 3 ⇒ f (x, y ) = f (3, y ) = 9 − 4y 0 ≤ y ≤ 2.This is a decreasing linear
function of y , so its maximum value is f (3, 0) = 9 and its minimum value
is f (3, 2) = 1.

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Example 7

On L3 , we have y = 2 ⇒ f (x, y ) = f (x, 2) = x 2 − 4x + 4 0 ≤ x ≤ 3. By

the methods of chapter 4 ( first derivatives test), we see that the minimum
value of this function is f (2, 2) = 0 and the maximum value is f (0, 2) = 4.
On L4 , we have x = 0 and f (x, y ) = f (0, y ) = 2y 0 ≤ y ≤ 2, with
maximum value f (0, 2) = 4 and minimum value f (0, 0) = 0.
Now we compare these values

f (1, 1) = 1 (1)
f (0, 0) = 0, f (3, 2) = 9(L1 ) (2)
f (3, 0) = 9, f (3, 2) = 1(L2 ) (3)
f (2, 2) = 0, f (0, 2) = 4(L3 ) (4)
f (0, 2) = 4, f (0, 0) = 0 (5)

So, the absolute maximum of f on D is f (3, 2) = f (3, 0) = 9, while the

absolute minimum of f on D is f (0, 0) = f (2, 2) = 0.

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