Total Differential/implicit function/explicit

function/minima/maxima/saddle point

Prerequisite knowledge for the lecture: Basic Differentiation, basic idea on partial
derivatives, basic idea of dependent and independent variables.

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Revision
DIFFERENCE BETWEEN ODE AND PDE:

▪ An ordinary differential equation (ODE) is an equation for an unknown function of one

variable. It may contain the function and any of the function's derivatives.

dy
= 2x + 3
dx

d2y dy
+ 3 + ay = 0
dx 2 dx

4
d 3 y  dy 
+   + 6y = 3
 dx 
3
dx

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 Revision
DIFFERENCE BETWEEN ODE AND PDE:

▪ A partial differential equation (PDE) is an equation for an unknown function of 2 or more

variables

𝜕2𝑢 2
𝜕2𝑢 u is the function of x and t, u = u (x, t)
=𝑐
𝜕𝑡 2 𝜕𝑥 2

𝜕𝑢 2
𝜕2𝑢
=𝑐 u is the function of x and t, u = u (x, t)
𝜕𝑡 𝜕𝑥 2

𝜕2𝑢 𝜕2𝑢
+ =0
𝜕𝑥 2 𝜕𝑦 2 u is the function of x and t, u = u (x, y)

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 Revision
DIFFERENCE BETWEEN DEPENDENT AND INDEPENDENT VARIABLE:

𝜕2 𝑢 𝜕2 𝑢
+ =0
𝜕𝑥 2 𝜕𝑦 2
Here u is dependent variable and x,y are independent variable of PDE

𝜕4𝑢 𝜕4𝑢
+ =0
𝜕𝑥 2 𝜕𝑡 2

𝜕2𝑢 𝜕 2 𝑢 𝜕𝑢
= −
𝜕𝑥 2 𝜕𝑥 2 𝜕𝑡

Here u is dependent variable and x,t are independent variable of PDE

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 Learning outcomes (2-3)

Understand the concept of total differential and its role in

approximating changes in multivariable functions..

Apply the total differential to estimate small changes in a function

based on changes in its independent variables

Comprehend the principle of the chain rule for differentiating

composite functions.

Find minima, maxima and saddle point for multivariate functions.

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Total Differential:

• The total differential of a function is a way to express how the function's value changes with respect to changes in all its
independent variables.
• The total derivative is the derivative with respect to of the function that depends on the variable not only directly but also
via the intermediate variables . It can be calculated using the rule.

• This rule is called the chain rule for derivatives and partial derivatives of functions.

CHAIN RULE FOR DERIVATIVES:

❖ If 𝑢 = 𝑓(𝑥, 𝑦) is a function of 𝑥 and 𝑦 where 𝑥 = 𝑓(𝑡) and 𝑦 = 𝑔 𝑡 are functions of t, then

𝒅𝒖 𝝏𝒖 𝒅𝒙 𝝏𝒖 𝒅𝒚
= + …………(i)
𝒅𝒕 𝝏𝒙 𝒅𝒕 𝝏𝒚 𝒅𝒕

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Total Differential

If we write differential form, (i) as:

𝜕𝑢 𝜕𝑢
𝑑𝑢 = 𝑑𝑥 + 𝑑𝑦
𝜕𝑥 𝜕𝑦
Then , 𝑑𝑢 is called the total differential of 𝑢.
𝜕𝑢 𝜕𝑢
• Here , are the partial derivatives of u with respect to x and y respectively.
𝑑𝑥 𝑑𝑦
• dx and dy represent infinitesimally small changes in x and y.
𝑑𝑥 𝑑𝑦
• , are the ordinary derivative of x and y with respect to “t”
𝑑𝑡 𝑑𝑡
• The total differential is useful in estimating changes in the function and is widely applied
in physics, engineering and economics.
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Example 1:

𝒅𝒖
If 𝒖 = 𝒙𝟐 𝒚𝟑 , where 𝒙 = log(t), 𝒚 = 𝒆𝒕 find
𝒅𝒕

Solution:
Using chain rule for derivatives we have:

𝑑𝑢 𝜕𝑢 𝑑𝑥 𝜕𝑢 𝑑𝑦
= +
𝑑𝑡 𝜕𝑥 𝑑𝑡 𝜕𝑦 𝑑𝑡
given 𝑢 = 𝑥 2 𝑦 3 , 𝑥 = log(t), 𝑦 = 𝑒 𝑡
𝜕𝑢 𝑑𝑥 1 𝜕𝑢 𝑑𝑦
= 2𝑥𝑦 3 , = , = 3𝑥 2 𝑦 2 , = 𝑒𝑡
𝜕𝑥 𝑑𝑡 𝑡 𝜕𝑦 𝑑𝑡

Therefore,
𝑑𝑢 𝜕𝑢 𝑑𝑥 𝜕𝑢 𝑑𝑦
= +
𝑑𝑡 𝜕𝑥 𝑑𝑡 𝜕𝑦 𝑑𝑡

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Example 1. contd…

Therefore,
𝑑𝑢 𝜕𝑢 𝑑𝑥 𝜕𝑢 𝑑𝑦
= 𝜕𝑥 𝑑𝑡 + 𝜕𝑦 𝑑𝑡
𝑑𝑡

1
= 2𝑥𝑦 3 . 𝑡 + 3𝑥 2 𝑦 2 . 𝑒 𝑡 …………………………(i)

Put, 𝑥 = log(𝑡) and 𝑦 = 𝑒 𝑡 in …(i), we get

𝒅𝒖 𝟐
= 𝒆𝟑𝒕 𝒍𝒐𝒈 𝒕 [ 𝒕 + 𝟑 𝒍𝒐𝒈(𝒕)].
𝒅𝒕

Example 2:
1 𝐝𝐮
If 𝑢 = 𝑥𝑦 + 𝑦𝑧 + 𝑧𝑥, where 𝑥 = 𝑡 , 𝑦 = et , 𝑧 = e−t . Find 𝐝𝐭

Solution:

Using chain rule for derivatives we have:

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Solution:
𝑑𝑢 𝜕𝑢 𝑑𝑥 𝜕𝑢 𝑑𝑦 𝜕𝑢 𝑑𝑧
= 𝜕𝑥 𝑑𝑡 + 𝜕𝑦 𝑑𝑡 + 𝜕𝑧 𝑑𝑡 ………………………………(i)
𝑑𝑡

1
Given 𝑢 = 𝑥𝑦 + 𝑦𝑧 + 𝑧𝑥, 𝑥 = , 𝑦 = 𝑒 t , 𝑧 = 𝑒 −t
𝑡

𝜕𝑢 𝜕𝑢 1 𝜕𝑢 1
= 𝑦 + 𝑧 = et + e−t ; = 𝑥 + 𝑧 = 𝑡 + e−t ; = 𝑥 + 𝑦 = 𝑡 + et
𝜕𝑥 𝜕𝑦 𝜕𝑧

𝑑𝑥 −1 𝑑𝑦 𝑑𝑧
= ; = 𝑒𝑡; = −𝑒 −𝑡
𝑑𝑡 𝑡2 𝑑𝑡 𝑑𝑡

Now putting these values in (i) we get

𝑑𝑢 1
= (𝑦 + 𝑧) − 2 + (𝑥 + 𝑧)𝑒 𝑡 + (𝑦 + 𝑥) −𝑒 −𝑡
𝑑𝑡 𝑡
1
Put 𝑥 = 𝑡 , 𝑦 = et , 𝑧 = e−t

𝒅𝒖 − 𝒆𝒕 + 𝒆−𝒕 𝟏 −𝒕 𝒕 𝒕
𝒍
= + +𝒆 𝒆 + 𝒆 + −𝒆−𝒕
𝒅𝒕 𝒕𝟐 𝒕 𝒕

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Example 3. Estimating a change in function

❖ Estimate the change in 𝐳 = 𝐱 𝟐 y, when x changes from 2 to 2.1 and y changes from 3 to 3.5

Solution:

dz 𝜕z dx 𝜕z dy
= 𝜕x dt + 𝜕y dt
dt

𝜕z 𝜕z
➔ dz = 𝜕x. dx + 𝜕y. dy

Now we have:
𝜕z 𝜕z
= 2xy, 𝜕y = x 2 , dx = 2.1 – 2 = 0.1, dy= 3.5-3 = 0.5
𝜕x

Therefore we get;

dz = 2.2.3.(0.1)+𝟐𝟐 . 𝟎. 𝟓 = 𝟏. 𝟒

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 Activity 1

1. Suppose that 𝑧 = 𝑥 2 𝑦, 𝑥 = 𝑡 2 , 𝑦 = 𝑡 3 .
𝑑𝑧
Use the chain rule to find .
𝑑𝑡

2. If 𝑧 = 𝑥 2 𝑦 + 3𝑥𝑦 4 ; 𝑥 = 𝑠𝑖𝑛2𝑡; 𝑦 =
𝑑𝑧
𝑐𝑜𝑠𝑡. Find when t=0.
𝑑𝑡

3. If 𝒘 = 𝒙𝟐 + 𝒚𝟐 + 𝒛𝟐 , 𝑥 = 𝑐𝑜𝑠𝜃; 𝑦 =
𝑠𝑖𝑛𝜃, 𝑧 = 𝑡𝑎𝑛𝜃. Use the chain rule to find
𝑑𝑤 𝜋
, when 𝜃 = .
𝑑𝜃 2

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 CHAIN RULE FOR PARTIAl DERIVATIVES:

If 𝑧 = 𝑓(𝑥, 𝑦) is a function of 𝑥 and 𝑦 where 𝑥 = 𝑥(𝑢, 𝑣) be a

function of u and v 𝑦 = 𝑦(u, v) be a function of u and v. Then
partial derivative of z at a point u,v is given by :

𝜕𝑧 𝜕𝑧 𝜕𝑥 𝜕𝑧 𝜕𝑦 𝜕𝑧 𝜕𝑧 𝜕𝑥 𝜕𝑧 𝜕𝑦
= . + . and = . + .
𝜕𝑢 𝜕𝑥 𝜕𝑢 𝜕𝑦 𝜕𝑢 𝜕𝑣 𝜕𝑥 𝜕𝑣 𝜕𝑦 𝜕𝑣

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 Example 1:

𝐮 𝛛𝐳 𝛛𝐳
𝐅𝐨𝐫 𝐳 = 𝐞𝐱𝐲 , 𝐱 = 𝟐𝐮 + 𝐯, 𝐲 = 𝐯. Find 𝛛𝐮 , 𝛛𝐯 using the chain rule.

Solution:
Using chain rule we have the following:

𝜕𝑧 𝜕𝑧 𝜕𝑥 𝜕𝑧 𝜕𝑦
= . + . ……(i)
𝜕𝑢 𝜕𝑥 𝜕𝑢 𝜕𝑦 𝜕𝑢

𝜕𝑧 𝜕𝑧 𝜕𝑥 𝜕𝑧 𝜕𝑦
= . + . …… (ii)
𝜕𝑣 𝜕𝑥 𝜕𝑣 𝜕𝑦 𝜕𝑣
Now,
𝜕𝑧 𝜕𝑧
= 𝑦𝑒 𝑥𝑦 , = 𝑥𝑒 𝑥𝑦 ,
𝜕𝑥 𝜕𝑦

𝜕𝑥 𝜕𝑦
=2, = 𝑣 −1
𝜕𝑢 𝜕𝑢

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 Example 1 contd…:

𝜕𝑥 𝜕𝑦
= 1, = −𝑢𝑣 −2
𝜕𝑣 𝜕𝑣

Putting the appropriate values in (i) and after simple simplification we obtain the following:
𝟐𝐮𝟐 +𝐮𝐯
𝛛𝐳 𝟒𝐮+𝐯
=𝐞 𝐯 .[ ]
𝛛𝐮 𝐯

Again,
Putting all the appropriate in (ii) and after simple simplification we obtain the following
𝟐𝒖𝟐 +𝒖𝒗
𝝏𝒛 𝟐𝒖𝟐
=−𝒆 𝒗 . [ 𝟐 ]
𝝏𝒗 𝒗

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 Activity 2

❑Suppose that 𝑤 = 𝑒 𝑥𝑦𝑧 ,

𝑥 = 3𝑢 + 𝑣,
𝑦 = 3𝑢 − 𝑣,
𝑧 = 𝑢2 − 𝑣.
𝜕𝑤 𝜕𝑤
Find and , using chain rule .
𝜕𝑢 𝜕𝑣

Solution:

Hint: you can use following diagram to solve this

problem: ➔
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What is explicit/implicit function ?

• The explicit function is a function in which the dependent

variable has been given “explicitly” in terms of the independent
variable. Or it is a function in which the dependent variable is
expressed in terms of some independent variables.

• The Implicit function is a function in which the dependent

variable has not been given “explicitly” in terms of the
independent variable. Or it is a function in which the dependent
variable is not expressed in terms of some independent
variables.
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Explicit/implicit function? Contd…

• Examples of explicit function

• Explicit functions:
y = 3x – 2
y = x2 + 5

• Examples of implicit function

• Implicit functions:
f(x,y) = y2 + 2yx 4x2 = 0
f(x,y) = y5 - 3y2x2 + 2 = 0
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Why Implicit Differentiation?

• When an applied problem involves an equation

not in explicit form, implicit differentiation is
used to locate extrema or to find rates of
change.

• Implicit Differentiation. In many examples,

especially the ones derived from differential
equations, the variables involved are not linked
to each other in an explicit way. Most of the
time, they are linked through
an implicit formula, like F(x,y) =0. Once x is fixed,
we may find y through numerical computations.
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Process for Implicit Differentiation

• To find dy/dx

• Differentiate both sides with respect to x

(y is assumed to be a function of x, so
d/dx)

• Collect like terms (all dy/dx on the same

side, everything else on the other side)

• Factor out the dy/dx and solve for dy/dx

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 Example

• Find dy/dx if 3xy + 4y2 = 10

• Differentiate both sides with respect to x:

• Use the product rule for (3x)(y)

• (The derivative of y is dy/dx)

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• Since y is assumed to be some function of x, use the
chain rule for 4y2

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• Combine like terms

• Factor and solve

This completes the problem

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Example : Suppose we want to differentiate the implicit function
𝒚𝟐 + 𝒙𝟑 − 𝒚𝟑 + 𝟔 = 𝟑𝒚, with respect to x.

Solution:
We differentiate each term with respect to 𝑥 :

𝑑 2 𝑑 3 𝑑 3 𝑑 𝑑
𝑦 + 𝑥 − 𝑦 + 6 = 3𝑦
𝑑𝑥 𝑑𝑥 𝑑𝑥 𝑑𝑥 𝑑𝑥

Differentiating functions of 𝑥 with respect to 𝑥 is straightforward. But when differentiating a function of 𝑦 with respect to 𝑥
we must remember the chain rule discussed previously.

𝑑 2 𝑑𝑦 2
𝑑 3 𝑑𝑦 𝑑 𝑑𝑦
𝑦 × + 3𝑥 − 𝑦 × +0= (3𝑦) ×
𝑑𝑦 𝑑𝑥 𝑑𝑦 𝑑𝑥 𝑑𝑦 𝑑𝑥

𝑑𝑦 𝑑𝑦 𝑑𝑦
2𝑦 + 3𝑥 2 − 3𝑦 2 =3
𝑑𝑥 𝑑𝑥 𝑑𝑥
𝑑𝑦
We rearrange this to collect all terms involving 𝑑𝑥 together.

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Suppose we want to differentiate the implicit function
𝒚𝟐 + 𝒙𝟑 − 𝒚𝟑 + 𝟔 = 𝟑𝒚, with respect to x. Contd…..

𝑑𝑦 𝑑𝑦 𝑑𝑦
3𝑥 2 = 3 − 2𝑦 + 3𝑦 2
𝑑𝑥 𝑑𝑥 𝑑𝑥
Then,

𝑑𝑦
3𝑥 2 = 3 − 2𝑦 + 3𝑦 2
𝑑𝑥

so that, finally,

𝒅𝒚 𝟑𝒙𝟐
=
𝒅𝒙 𝟑−𝟐𝒚+𝟑𝒚𝟐
𝑑𝑦
This is our expression for 𝑑𝑥

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 Practice Questions

1. Differentiate with respect to x the differential equation to find dy/dx:

𝑠𝑖𝑛𝑦 + 𝑥 2 𝑦 3 − 𝑐𝑜𝑠𝑥 = 2𝑦
Answer:
𝑑𝑦 2𝑥𝑦 3 +𝑠𝑖𝑛𝑥
= 2−𝑐𝑜𝑠𝑦−3𝑥2𝑦2
𝑑𝑥
2. Differentiate with respect to x the differential equation to find dy/dx:
𝑦 2 + 𝑥 3 − 𝑥𝑦 + 𝑐𝑜𝑠𝑦 = 0
Answer:
𝑑𝑦 𝑦−3𝑥 2
=
𝑑𝑥 2𝑦−𝑠𝑖𝑛𝑦−𝑥

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 Practice Questions

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 Maxima/ Minima /Saddle Point
Maxima:

A function 𝑓 𝑥1 , 𝑥2 , … , 𝑥𝑛 has a maximum at a point 𝐚 = 𝑎1 , 𝑎2 , … , 𝑎𝑛 if:

1. 𝑓(𝐚) ≥ 𝑓(𝐱) for all 𝐱 in a neighborhood around 𝐚 (local maximum).

2. 𝑓(𝐚) ≥ 𝑓(𝐱) for all 𝐱 in the entire domain of 𝑓 (global maximum).

Minima:
A function 𝑓 𝑥1 , 𝑥2 , … , 𝑥𝑛 has a minimum at a point 𝐚 = 𝑎1 , 𝑎2 , … , 𝑎𝑛 if:

1. 𝑓(𝐚) ≤ 𝑓(𝐱) for all 𝐱 in a neighborhood around 𝐚 (local minimum).

2. 𝑓(𝐚) ≤ 𝑓(𝐱) for all 𝐱 in the entire domain of 𝑓 (global minimum).

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 Maxima/ Minima /Saddle Point
Saddle Point:

A point 𝐚 = 𝑎1 , 𝑎2 , … , 𝑎𝑛 is a saddle point of 𝑓 𝑥1 , 𝑥2 , … , 𝑥𝑛 if:

1. 𝐚 is a critical point (where all first partial derivatives vanish).

2. 𝐚 is neither a local maximum nor a local minimum.

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 Maxima/ Minima /Saddle Point
FEW NOTATIONS AND REPRESENTATIONS:

𝜕2 𝑓 𝜕 𝜕𝑢
• = ( ) =𝑓𝑥𝑥 ;
𝜕𝑥 2 𝜕x 𝜕𝑥

𝜕2 𝑓 𝜕 𝜕𝑓
• = ( ) =𝑓𝑦𝑦 ;
𝜕𝑦 2 𝜕y 𝜕𝑦

𝜕 𝜕𝑓 𝜕2 𝑓
• = = 𝑓𝑥𝑦 ;
𝜕x 𝜕𝑦 𝜕x𝜕𝑦

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 Maxima/ Minima /Saddle Point
THEOREM: Second-Derivative Test for Functions of Two Variables

Suppose 𝑥0 , 𝑦0 is a point where grad 𝑓 𝑥0 , 𝑦0 = 0. Let

2
𝐷 = 𝑓𝑥𝑥 𝑥0 , 𝑦0 𝑓𝑦𝑦 𝑥0 , 𝑦0 − 𝑓𝑥𝑦 𝑥0 , 𝑦0 .

• If 𝐷 > 0 and 𝑓𝑥𝑥 𝑥0 , 𝑦0 > 0, then 𝑓 has a local minimum at 𝑥0 , 𝑦0 .

• If 𝐷 > 0 and 𝑓𝑥𝑥 𝑥0 , 𝑦0 < 0, then 𝑓 has a local maximum at 𝑥0 , 𝑦0 .
• If 𝐷 < 0, then 𝑓 has a saddle point at 𝑥0 , 𝑦0 .
• If 𝐷 = 0, anything can happen: 𝑓 can have a local maximum, or a local minimum, or a saddle
point, or none of these, at 𝑥0 , 𝑦0 .

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 Maxima/ Minima /Saddle Point
POINTS TO REMEMBER:

NOTE 1 : In case (c) the point (x0 , y0 ) is called a saddle point of 𝑓 and the graph of 𝑓 crosses its tangent
plane at (x0 , y0 ).

NOTE 2: If 𝐷 = 0, the test gives no information: 𝑓 could have a local maximum or local minimum at
(x0 , y0 ), or (x0 , y0 ) could be a saddle point of 𝑓.

NOTE 3 : To remember the formula for 𝐷, it's helpful to write it as a determinant:

𝑓𝑥𝑥 𝑓𝑥𝑦 2
𝐷= = 𝑓𝑥𝑥 𝑓𝑦𝑦 − 𝑓𝑥𝑦
𝑓𝑦𝑥 𝑓𝑦𝑦

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 Maxima/ Minima /Saddle Point
Example 1 : Find the local maxima, minima, and saddle points of
1 2
𝑓(𝑥, 𝑦) = 𝑥 + 3𝑦 3 + 9𝑦 2 − 3𝑥𝑦 + 9𝑦 − 9𝑥
2

Solution: Setting the partial derivatives of 𝑓 to zero gives

𝑓𝑦 (𝑥, 𝑦) = 𝑥 − 3𝑦 − 9 = 0
𝑓y (𝑥, 𝑦) = 9𝑦 2 + 18𝑦 − 3𝑥 + 9 = 0

Eliminating 𝑥 gives 9𝑦 2 + 9𝑦 − 18 = 0, with solutions 𝑦 = −2 and 𝑦 = 1. The

corresponding values of 𝑥 are 𝑥 = 3 and 𝑥 = 12, so the critical points of 𝑓 are

(3, −2) and (12,1). The discriminant is:

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 Maxima/ Minima /Saddle Point
Example1 : contd…

2
𝐷(𝑥, 𝑦) = 𝑓𝑥𝑥 𝑓𝑦𝑦 − 𝑓𝑥𝑦 = (1)(18𝑦 + 18) − (−3)2 = 18𝑦 + 9.

Since 𝐷(3, −2) = −36 + 9 < 0, we know that (3, −2) is a saddle point of 𝑓. Since

𝐷(12,1) = 18 + 9 > 0 and 𝑓𝑥𝑥 (12,1) = 1 > 0, we know that 12,1 is a local

minimum of 𝑓.

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 Maxima/ Minima /Saddle Point
Example 2: Find the local maximum and minimum values and saddle points of 𝑓(𝑥, 𝑦) = 𝑥 4 + 𝑦 4 − 4𝑥𝑦 + 1.

SOLUTION:

We first locate the critical points:

𝑓𝑥 = 4𝑥 3 − 4𝑦; 𝑓𝑦 = 4𝑦 3 − 4𝑥

Setting these partial derivatives equal to 0 , we obtain the equations

𝑥 3 − 𝑦 = 0 and 𝑦 3 − 𝑥 = 0
To solve these equations we substitute 𝑦 = 𝑥 3 from the first equation into
the second one. This gives
0 = 𝑥9 − 𝑥 = 𝑥 𝑥8 − 1 = 𝑥 𝑥4 − 1 𝑥4 + 1 = 𝑥 𝑥2 − 1 𝑥2 + 1 𝑥4 + 1

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 Maxima/ Minima /Saddle Point
Example 2: Contd…

so there are three real roots: 𝑥 = 0,1, −1. The three critical points are (0,0), (1,1), and (−1, 1).

Next we calculate the second partial derivatives and 𝐷(𝑥, 𝑦) :

𝑓𝑥𝑥 = 12𝑥 2 ; 𝑓𝑥𝑦 = −4; 𝑓𝑦𝑦 = 12𝑦 2

2
𝐷(𝑥, 𝑦) = 𝑓𝑥𝑥 𝑓𝑦𝑦 − 𝑓𝑥𝑦 = 144𝑥 2 𝑦 2 − 16

Since 𝐷(0,0) = −16 < 0, it follows that the origin is a saddle point; that is, 𝑓
has no local maximum or minimum at(0,0). Since

𝐷(1,1) = 128 > 0 and 𝑓𝑥𝑥 (1,1) = 12 > 0, we see that 𝑓(1,1) = −1
is a local minimum. Similarly, we have 𝐷(−1, −1) = 128 > 0
and 𝑓𝑥𝑥 (−1, −1) = 12 > 0, so 𝑓(−1, −1) = −1 is also a
local minimum.
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 Maxima/ Minima /Saddle Point
Example 3: Determine the critical points and locate any relative minima, maxima and saddle points of function 𝑓
defined by
𝑓(𝑥, 𝑦) = 2𝑥 2 + 2𝑥𝑦 + 2𝑦 2 − 6𝑥

Solution: Find the first partial derivatives 𝑓𝑥 and 𝑓𝑦 .

𝑓𝑥 (𝑥, 𝑦) = 4𝑥 + 2𝑦 − 6
𝑓𝑦 (𝑥, 𝑦) = 2𝑥 + 4𝑦

The critical points satisfy the equations 𝑓𝑥 (𝑥, 𝑦) = 0 and 𝑓𝑦 (𝑥, 𝑦) = 0 simultaneously.
Hence. 4𝑥 + 2𝑦 − 6 = 0
2𝑥 + 4𝑦 = 0

The above system of equations has one solution at the point (2, −1).
We now need to find the second order partial derivatives 𝑓𝑥𝑥 (𝑥, 𝑦), 𝑓𝑦𝑦 (𝑥, 𝑦) and 𝑓𝑥𝑦 (𝑥, 𝑦).

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 Maxima/ Minima /Saddle Point
Example 3: contd…

𝑓𝑥𝑥 (𝑥, 𝑦) = 4
𝑓𝑦𝑦 (𝑥, 𝑦) = 4
𝑓𝑥𝑦 (𝑥, 𝑦) = 2
We now need to find 𝐷 defined above.
2 (2, −1) = (4)(4) − 22 = 12
𝐷 = 𝑓𝑥𝑥 (2, −1)𝑓𝑦𝑦 (2, −1) − 𝑓𝑥𝑦

Since 𝐷 is positive and 𝑓𝑥𝑥 (2, −1) is also positive, according to the above theorem

function 𝑓 has a local minimum at (2, −1).

The 3-Dimensional graph of function 𝑓 given above shows that 𝑓 has a local minimum at

the point (2, −1, 𝑓(2, −1)) = (2, −1, −6).

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 Maxima/ Minima /Saddle Point
Example 4: Determine the critical points and locate any relative minima, maxima and saddle points of function 𝑓
defined by
𝑓(𝑥, 𝑦) = 2𝑥 2 − 4𝑥𝑦 + 𝑦 4 + 2

Solution: Find the first partial derivatives 𝑓𝑥 and 𝑓𝑦 .

𝑓𝑥 (𝑥, 𝑦) = 4𝑥 − 4𝑦
𝑓𝑦 (𝑥, 𝑦) = −4𝑥 + 4𝑦 3

Determine the critical points by solving the equations 𝑓𝑥 (𝑥, 𝑦) = 0 and 𝑓𝑦 (𝑥, 𝑦) = 0 simultaneously. Hence.
4𝑥 − 4𝑦 = 0
−4𝑥 + 4𝑦 3 = 0

The first equation gives x = y. Substitute x by y in the equation −4x + 4y 3 = 0 to obtain.

−4𝑦 + 4𝑦 3 = 0
Factor and solve for y .
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 Maxima/ Minima /Saddle Point
Example 4: contd…

4𝑦 −1 + 𝑦 2 = 0
𝑦 = 0, 𝑦 = 1 and 𝑦 = −1

We now use the equation 𝑥 = 𝑦 to find the critical points.

(0,0), (1,1) and (−1, −1)

We now determine the second order partial derivatives.

𝑓𝑥𝑥 (𝑥, 𝑦) = 4
𝑓𝑦𝑦 (𝑥, 𝑦) = 12𝑦 2
𝑓𝑥𝑦 (𝑥, 𝑦) = −4

We now use a table to study the signs of 𝐷 and 𝑓𝑥𝑥 (𝑎, 𝑏) and use the above theorem
to decide on whether a given
critical point is a saddle point, relative maximum or minimum.
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 Maxima/ Minima /Saddle Point
Example 5: Determine the critical points and locate any relative minima, maxima and
saddle points of function 𝑓 defined by:

𝑓(𝑥, 𝑦) = −𝑥 4 − 𝑦 4 + 4𝑥𝑦

Solution: First partial derivatives 𝑓𝑥 and 𝑓𝑦 are given by

𝑓𝑥 (𝑥, 𝑦) = −4𝑥 3 + 4𝑦
𝑓𝑦 (𝑥, 𝑦) = −4𝑦 3 + 4𝑥
We now solve the equations 𝑓𝑦 (𝑥, 𝑦) = 0 and 𝑓𝑥 (𝑥, 𝑦) = 0 to find the critical point.

−4𝑥 3 + 4𝑦 = 0
−4𝑦 3 + 4𝑥 = 0

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 Maxima/ Minima /Saddle Point
Example 5 : contd…

The first equation gives 𝑦 = 𝑥 3 . Combined with the second equation, we obtain.

−4 𝑥 3 3 + 4𝑥 = 0
Which may be written as .
𝑥 𝑥4 − 1 𝑥4 + 1 = 0
Which has the solutions.
𝑥 = 0, −1 and 1

We now use the equation 𝑦 = 𝑥 3 to find the critical points.

(0,0), (1,1) and (−1, −1)

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 Maxima/ Minima /Saddle Point
Example 5 : contd…

We now determine the second order partial derivatives.

𝑓𝑥𝑥 𝑥, 𝑦 = −12𝑥 2
𝑓𝑦𝑦 (𝑥, 𝑦) = −12𝑦 2
𝑓𝑥𝑦 (𝑥, 𝑦) = 4

The table below shows the signs of 𝐷 and 𝑓𝑥𝑥 (𝑎, 𝑏). Then the above theorem is used to

decide on what type of critical points it is.

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 Maxima/ Minima /Saddle Point
Example 5 : contd…

A 3-Dimensional graph of function 𝑓 shows that 𝑓 has two local maxima at (−1, −1,2)
and (1,1,2) and a saddle point at (0,0,0).

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 Practice Questions

1. Find the stationary point of the surface 𝑓(𝑥, 𝑦) = 𝑥 2 + 𝑦 2 and determine its

nature. Sketch the surface represented by 𝑧.

[Minimum at (0,0)]

2. Find the maxima, minima and saddle points for the following functions:
(a) 𝑓(𝑥, 𝑦) = 𝑥 2 + 𝑦 2 − 2𝑥 + 4𝑦 + 8
(b) 𝑓(𝑥, 𝑦) = 𝑥 2 − 𝑦 2 − 2𝑥 + 4𝑦 + 8
(c) 𝑓(𝑥, 𝑦) = 2𝑥 + 2𝑦 − 2𝑥𝑦 − 2𝑥 2 − 𝑦 2 + 4.

ANSWERS:
(a) _____ at (1, −2)
(b) _____ at (1,2)
(c) ______at Maximum at (0,1)
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 Practice Questions

3. Determine the stationary values of the function 𝑓(𝑥, 𝑦) = 𝑥 3 − 6𝑥 2 − 8𝑦 2

and distinguish between them. Sketch an approximate contour map to

represent the surface 𝑓(𝑥, 𝑦).

[Answer: Maximum point at (0,0), saddle point at (4,0)]

4 .An open rectangular container is to have a volume of 32 m3 . Determine the

dimensions and the total surface area such that the total surface area is a

minimum.
Answer: 4 m by 4 m by 2 m,surface area = 48 m2

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 HAPPY LEARNING

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