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7 Maxima/Minima Problems - Calculus Volume 3 | OpenStax

Learning Objectives
4.7.1 Use partial derivatives to locate critical points for a function of two variables.
4.7.2 Apply a second derivative test to identify a critical point as a local maximum, local minimum,
or saddle point for a function of two variables.
4.7.3 Examine critical points and boundary points to find absolute maximum and minimum values
for a function of two variables.

One of the most useful applications for derivatives of a function of one variable is the determination
of maximum and/or minimum values. This application is also important for functions of two or more
variables, but as we have seen in earlier sections of this chapter, the introduction of more
independent variables leads to more possible outcomes for the calculations. The main ideas of
finding critical points and using derivative tests are still valid, but new wrinkles appear when
assessing the results.

Critical Points
For functions of a single variable, we defined critical points as the values of the function when the
derivative equals zero or does not exist. For functions of two or more variables, the concept is
essentially the same, except for the fact that we are now working with partial derivatives.

DEFINITION

Let z = f (x, y) be a function of two variables that is defined on an open set containing
the point (x0 , y0 ) . The point (x0 , y0 ) is called a critical point of a function of two
variables f if one of the two following conditions holds:

1. fx (x0 , y0 ) = fy (x0 , y0 ) = 0

2. Either fx (x0 , y0 ) or fy (x0 , y0 ) does not exist.

EXAMPLE 4.38

Finding Critical Points

Find the critical points of each of the following functions:
−−− −−−−− −−−−−−−−−−−−−−
a. f (x, y) 2 2
= √4y − 9x + 24y + 36x + 36

b. g (x, y) = x
2
+ 2xy − 4y
2
+ 4x − 6y + 4

[Show/Hide Solution]

Solution
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a. First, we calculate fx (x, y) and fy (x, y) :

1 −1/2
2 2
fx (x, y) = (−18x + 36) (4y − 9x + 24y + 36x + 36)
2

−9x+18
=
2 2
√ 4y −9x +24y+36x+36

1 −1/2
2 2
fy (x, y) = (8y + 24) (4y − 9x + 24y + 36x + 36)
2

4y+12
= .
2 2
√ 4y −9x +24y+36x+36

Next, we set each of these expressions equal to zero:

−9x+18
= 0
2 2
√ 4y −9x +24y+36x+36

4y+12
= 0.
2 2
√ 4y −9x +24y+36x+36

Then, multiply each equation by its common denominator:

−9x + 18 = 0

4y + 12 = 0.

Therefore, x = 2 and y = −3, so (2, −3) is a critical point of f .

We must also check for the possibility that the denominator of each partial
derivative can equal zero, thus causing the partial derivative not to exist. Since
the denominator is the same in each partial derivative, we need only do this once:
2 2
4y − 9x + 24y + 36x + 36 = 0.

This equation represents a hyperbola. We should also note that the domain of f
consists of points satisfying the inequality
2 2
4y − 9x + 24y + 36x + 36 ≥ 0.

Therefore, any points on the hyperbola are not only critical points, they are also
on the boundary of the domain. To put the hyperbola in standard form, we use
the method of completing the square:

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2 2
4y − 9x + 24y + 36x + 36 = 0

2 2
4y − 9x + 24y + 36x = −36

2 2
4y + 24y − 9x + 36x = −36

2 2
4 (y + 6y) − 9 (x − 4x) = −36

2 2
4 (y + 6y + 9) − 9 (x − 4x + 4) = −36 + 36 − 36

2 2
4(y + 3) − 9(x − 2) = −36.

Dividing both sides by −36 puts the equation in standard form:

2 2
4(y+3) 9(x−2)
− = 1
−36 −36

2 2
(x−2) (y+3)
− = 1.
4 9

Notice that point (2, −3) is the center of the hyperbola.

b. First, we calculate gx (x, y) and gy (x, y) :

gx (x, y) = 2x + 2y + 4

gy (x, y) = 2x − 8y − 6.

Next, we set each of these expressions equal to zero, which gives a system of
equations in x and y:

2x + 2y + 4 = 0

2x − 8y − 6 = 0.

Subtracting the second equation from the first gives 10y + 10 = 0, so y = −1.
Substituting this into the first equation gives 2x + 2 (−1) + 4 = 0, so x = −1.
Therefore (−1, −1) is a critical point of g (Figure 4.46). There are no points in R2
that make either partial derivative not exist.

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Figure 4.46 The function g (x, y) has a critical point at (−1, −1, 5) .

CHECKPOINT 4.34

Find the critical point of the function f (x, y) = x

3
+ 2xy − 2x − 4y.

The main purpose for determining critical points is to locate relative maxima and minima, as in
single-variable calculus. When working with a function of one variable, the definition of a local
extremum involves finding an interval around the critical point such that the function value is either
greater than or less than all the other function values in that interval. When working with a function of
two or more variables, we work with an open disk around the point.

DEFINITION

Let z = f (x, y) be a function of two variables that is defined and continuous on an open
set containing the point (x0 , y0 ) . Then f has a local maximum at (x0 , y0 ) if

f (x0 , y0 ) ≥ f (x, y)

for all points (x, y) within some disk centered at (x0 , y0 ) . The number f (x0 , y0 ) is called
a local maximum value. If the preceding inequality holds for every point (x, y) in the domain
of f , then f has a global maximum (also called an absolute maximum) at (x0 , y0 ) .

The function f has a local minimum at (x0 , y0 ) if

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f (x0 , y0 ) ≤ f (x, y)

for all points (x, y) within some disk centered at (x0 , y0 ) . The number f (x0 , y0 ) is called
a local minimum value. If the preceding inequality holds for every point (x, y) in the domain
of f , then f has a global minimum (also called an absolute minimum) at (x0 , y0 ) .

If f (x0 , y0 ) is either a local maximum or local minimum value, then it is called a local
extremum (see the following figure).

−−−−−−− −−−
Figure 4.47 The graph of z 2
= √16 − x − y
2
has a maximum value when
(x, y) = (0, 0) . It attains its minimum value at the boundary of its domain, which is the
circle x2 + y
2
= 16.

In Maxima and Minima, we showed that extrema of functions of one variable occur at critical points.
The same is true for functions of more than one variable, as stated in the following theorem.

THEOREM 4.16

Fermat’s Theorem for Functions of Two Variables

Let z = f (x, y) be a function of two variables that is defined and continuous on an open
set containing the point (x0 , y0 ). Suppose fx and fy each exists at (x0 , y0 ) . If f has a
local extremum at (x0 , y0 ) , then (x0 , y0 ) is a critical point of f .

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Second Derivative Test

Consider the function f (x) = x .
3
This function has a critical point at x = 0, since
However, f does not have an extreme value at x = 0. Therefore, the existence
2
f ' (0) = 3(0) = 0.

of a critical value at x = x0 does not guarantee a local extremum at x = x0 . The same is true for a
function of two or more variables. One way this can happen is at a saddle point. An example of a
saddle point appears in the following figure.

Figure 4.48 Graph of the function z = x

2 2
− y . This graph has a saddle point at the
origin.

In this graph, the origin is a saddle point. This is because the first partial derivatives of
f (x, y) = x − y are both equal to zero at this point, but it is neither a maximum nor a minimum
2 2

for the function. Furthermore the vertical trace corresponding to y = 0 is z = x2 (a parabola

opening upward), but the vertical trace corresponding to x = 0 is z = −y 2 (a parabola opening
downward). Therefore, it is both a global maximum for one trace and a global minimum for another.

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DEFINITION

Given the function z = f (x, y) , the point (x0 , y0 , f (x0 , y0 )) is a saddle point if both
fx (x0 , y0 ) = 0 and fy (x0 , y0 ) = 0, but f does not have a local extremum at (x0 , y0 ) .

The second derivative test for a function of one variable provides a method for determining whether
an extremum occurs at a critical point of a function. When extending this result to a function of two
variables, an issue arises related to the fact that there are, in fact, four different second-order partial
derivatives, although equality of mixed partials reduces this to three. The second derivative test for a
function of two variables, stated in the following theorem, uses a discriminant D that replaces
(x0 ) in the second derivative test for a function of one variable.
′′
f

THEOREM 4.17

Second Derivative Test

Let z = f (x, y) be a function of two variables for which the first- and second-order partial
derivatives are continuous on some disk containing the point (x0 , y0 ) . Suppose
fx (x0 , y0 ) = 0 and fy (x0 , y0 ) = 0. Define the quantity

2
D = fxx (x0 , y0 ) fyy (x0 , y0 ) − (fxy (x0 , y0 )) . (4.4

i. If D > 0 and fxx (x0 , y0 ) > 0, then f has a local minimum at (x0 , y0 ) .
ii. If D > 0 and fxx (x0 , y0 ) < 0, then f has a local maximum at (x0 , y0 ) .
iii. If D < 0, then f has a saddle point at (x0 , y0 ) .
iv. If D = 0, then the test is inconclusive.

See Figure 4.49.

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Figure 4.49 The second derivative test can often determine whether a function of two variables has a local minima (a), a local maxima
(b), or a saddle point (c).

To apply the second derivative test, it is necessary that we first find the critical points of the function.
There are several steps involved in the entire procedure, which are outlined in a problem-solving
strategy.

PROBLEM-SOLVING STRATEGY

Using the Second Derivative Test for Functions of Two

Variables
Let z = f (x, y) be a function of two variables for which the first- and second-order partial
derivatives are continuous on some disk containing the point (x0 , y0 ) . To apply the second
derivative test to find local extrema, use the following steps:

1. Determine the critical points (x0 , y0 ) of the function f where

fx (x0 , y0 ) = fy (x0 , y0 ) = 0. Discard any points where at least one of the partial

derivatives does not exist.

2. Calculate the discriminant D for each
2
= fxx (x0 , y0 ) fyy (x0 , y0 ) − (fxy (x0 , y0 ))

critical point of f .
3. Apply Second Derivative Test to determine whether each critical point is a local
maximum, local minimum, or saddle point, or whether the theorem is inconclusive.

EXAMPLE 4.39

Using the Second Derivative Test

Find the critical points for each of the following functions, and use the second
derivative test to find the local extrema:

a. f (x, y) = 4x
2
+ 9y
2
+ 8x − 36y + 24

b. g (x, y) =
1

3
x
3
+ y
2
+ 2xy − 6x − 3y + 4

[Show/Hide Solution]

Solution
a. Step 1 of the problem-solving strategy involves finding the critical points of f . To
do this, we first calculate fx (x, y) and fy (x, y) , then set each of them equal to
zero:

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fx (x, y) = 8x + 8

fy (x, y) = 18y − 36.

Setting them equal to zero yields the system of equations

8x + 8 = 0

18y − 36 = 0.

The solution to this system is x = −1 and y = 2. Therefore (−1, 2) is a critical

point of f .
Step 2 of the problem-solving strategy involves calculating D. To do this, we first
calculate the second partial derivatives of f :

fxx (x, y) = 8

fxy (x, y) = 0

fyy (x, y) = 18.

Therefore,
2 2
D = fxx (−1, 2) fyy (−1, 2) − (fxy (−1, 2)) = (8) (18) − (0) = 144.

Step 3 states to check the Second Derivative Test for Functions of Two Variables..
Since D > 0 and fxx (−1, 2) > 0, this corresponds to case 1. Therefore, f has
a local minimum at (−1, 2) as shown in the following figure.

Figure 4.50 The function f (x, y) has a local minimum at (−1, 2, −16) .
b. For step 1, we first calculate gx (x, y) and gy (x, y) , then set each of them equal
to zero:

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2
gx (x, y) = x + 2y − 6

gy (x, y) = 2y + 2x − 3.

Setting them equal to zero yields the system of equations

2
x + 2y − 6 = 0

2y + 2x − 3 = 0.

To solve this system, first solve the second equation for y. This gives y
3−2x
= .
2

Substituting this into the first equation gives

2
x + 3 − 2x − 6 = 0

2
x − 2x − 3 = 0

(x − 3) (x + 1) = 0.

Therefore, x = −1 or x = 3. Substituting these values into the equation

3−2x
yields the critical points (−1, and (3, − 2 ) .
5 3
y = )
2 2

Step 2 involves calculating the second partial derivatives of g:

gxx (x, y) = 2x

gxy (x, y) = 2

gyy (x, y) = 2.

Then, we find a general formula for D:

2
D = gxx (x0 , y0 ) gyy (x0 , y0 ) − (gxy (x0 , y0 ))

2
= (2x0 ) (2) − 2

= 4x0 − 4.

Next, we substitute each critical point into this formula:

5 2
D (−1, ) = (2 (−1)) (2) − (2) = −4 − 4 = −8
2

3 2
D (3, − ) = (2 (3)) (2) − (2) = 12 − 4 = 8.
2

In step 3, we note that, applying the Second Derivative Test for Functions of Two
Variables. to point (−1, 52 ) leads to case 3, which means that (−1, 52 ) is a
saddle point. Applying the theorem to point (3, − 32 ) leads to case 1, which
means that (3, − 32 ) corresponds to a local minimum as shown in the following
figure.

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Figure 4.51 The function g(x, y) has a local minimum and a saddle point.

CHECKPOINT 4.35

Use the second derivative to find the local extrema of the function
3 2
f (x, y) = x + 2xy − 6x − 4y .

Absolute Maxima and Minima

When finding global extrema of functions of one variable on a closed interval, we start by checking
the critical values over that interval and then evaluate the function at the endpoints of the interval.
When working with a function of two variables, the closed interval is replaced by a closed, bounded
set. A set is bounded if all the points in that set can be contained within a ball (or disk) of finite
radius. First, we need to find the critical points inside the set and calculate the corresponding critical
values. Then, it is necessary to find the maximum and minimum value of the function on the
boundary of the set. When we have all these values, the largest function value corresponds to the
global maximum and the smallest function value corresponds to the absolute minimum. First,
however, we need to be assured that such values exist. The following theorem does this.

THEOREM 4.18

Extreme Value Theorem

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A continuous function f (x, y) on a closed and bounded set D in the plane attains an
absolute maximum value at some point of D and an absolute minimum value at some point
of D.

Now that we know any continuous function f defined on a closed, bounded set attains its extreme
values, we need to know how to find them.

THEOREM 4.19

Finding Extreme Values of a Function of Two Variables

Assume z = f (x, y) is a differentiable function of two variables defined on a closed,
bounded set D. Then f will attain the absolute maximum value and the absolute minimum
value, which are, respectively, the largest and smallest values found among the following:

i. The values of f at the critical points of f in D.

ii. The values of f on the boundary of D.

The proof of this theorem is a direct consequence of the extreme value theorem and Fermat’s
theorem. In particular, if either extremum is not located on the boundary of D, then it is located at an
interior point of D. But an interior point (x0 , y0 ) of D that’s an absolute extremum is also a local
extremum; hence, (x0 , y0 ) is a critical point of f by Fermat’s theorem. Therefore the only possible
values for the global extrema of f on D are the extreme values of f on the interior or boundary of
D.

PROBLEM-SOLVING STRATEGY

Finding Absolute Maximum and Minimum Values

Let z = f (x, y) be a continuous function of two variables defined on a closed, bounded
set D, and assume f is differentiable on D. To find the absolute maximum and minimum
values of f on D, do the following:

1. Determine the critical points of f in D.

2. Calculate f at each of these critical points.
3. Determine the maximum and minimum values of f on the boundary of its domain.
4. The maximum and minimum values of f will occur at one of the values obtained in
steps 2 and 3.

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Finding the maximum and minimum values of f on the boundary of D can be challenging. If the
boundary is a rectangle or set of straight lines, then it is possible to parameterize the line segments
and determine the maxima on each of these segments, as seen in Example 4.40. The same
approach can be used for other shapes such as circles and ellipses.

If the boundary of the set D is a more complicated curve defined by a function g (x, y) = c for
some constant c, and the first-order partial derivatives of g exist, then the method of Lagrange
multipliers can prove useful for determining the extrema of f on the boundary. The method of
Lagrange multipliers is introduced in Lagrange Multipliers.

EXAMPLE 4.40

Finding Absolute Extrema

Use the problem-solving strategy for finding absolute extrema of a function to
determine the absolute extrema of each of the following functions:

a. f (x, y) = x
2
− 2xy + 4y
2
− 4x − 2y + 24 on the domain defined by
0 ≤ x ≤ 4 and 0 ≤ y ≤ 2

b. g (x, y) = x
2
+ y
2
+ 4x − 6y on the domain defined by x2 + y
2
≤ 16

[Show/Hide Solution]

Solution
a. Using the problem-solving strategy, step 1 involves finding the critical points of f
on its domain. Therefore, we first calculate fx (x, y) and fy (x, y) , then set
them each equal to zero:

fx (x, y) = 2x − 2y − 4

fy (x, y) = −2x + 8y − 2.

Setting them equal to zero yields the system of equations

2x − 2y − 4 = 0

−2x + 8y − 2 = 0.

The solution to this system is x = 3 and y = 1. Therefore (3, 1) is a critical

point of f . Calculating f (3, 1) gives f (3, 1) = 17.
The next step involves finding the extrema of f on the boundary of its domain.
The boundary of its domain consists of four line segments as shown in the
following graph:

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Figure 4.52 Graph of the domain of the function

2 2
f (x, y) = x − 2xy + 4y − 4x − 2y + 24.

L1 is the line segment connecting (0, 0) and (4, 0) , and it can be parameterized
by the equations x (t) = t, y (t) = 0 for 0 ≤ t ≤ 4. Define
g (t) = f (x (t) , y (t)) . This gives g (t) = t − 4t + 24. Differentiating g leads
2

to g ′ (t) = 2t − 4. Therefore, g has a critical value at t = 2, which corresponds

to the point (2, 0) . Calculating f (2, 0) gives the z-value 20.
L2 is the line segment connecting (4, 0) and (4, 2) , and it can be parameterized

by the equations x (t) = 4, y (t) = t for 0 ≤ t ≤ 2. Again, define

g (t) = f (x (t) , y (t)) . This gives g (t) = 4t − 10t + 24. Then,
2

has a critical value at t which corresponds to the point

′ 5
g (t) = 8t − 10. g = ,
4

Calculating f (4, gives the z-value 17.75.

5 5
(4, ). )
4 4

L3 is the line segment connecting (0, 2) and (4, 2) , and it can be parameterized
by the equations x (t) = t, y (t) = 2 for 0
Again, define
≤ t ≤ 4.

g (t) = f (x (t) , y (t)) . This gives g (t) = t − 8t + 36. The critical value
2

corresponds to the point (4, 2) . So, calculating f (4, 2) gives the z-value 20.
L4 is the line segment connecting (0, 0) and (0, 2) , and it can be parameterized
by the equations x (t) = 0, y (t) = t for 0 ≤ t ≤ 2. This time,
g (t) = 4t
2
− 2t + 24 and the critical value t =
1

4
correspond to the point
(0,
1

4
). Calculating f (0, 1

4
) gives the z-value 23.75.
We also need to find the values of f (x, y) at the corners of its domain. These
corners are located at (0, 0) , (4, 0) , (4, 2) and (0, 2) :

2 2
f (0, 0) = (0) − 2 (0) (0) + 4(0) − 4 (0) − 2 (0) + 24 = 24

2 2
f (4, 0) = (4) − 2 (4) (0) + 4(0) − 4 (4) − 2 (0) + 24 = 24

2 2
f (4, 2) = (4) − 2 (4) (2) + 4(2) − 4 (4) − 2 (2) + 24 = 20

2 2
f (0, 2) = (0) − 2 (0) (2) + 4(2) − 4 (0) − 2 (2) + 24 = 36.

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The absolute maximum value is 36, which occurs at (0, 2) , and the global
minimum value is 17, which occurs at (3, 1) as shown in the following figure.

Figure 4.53 The function f (x, y) has one global minimum and one global maximum over its domain.
b. Using the problem-solving strategy, step 1 involves finding the critical points of g
on its domain. Therefore, we first calculate gx (x, y) and gy (x, y) , then set them
each equal to zero:

gx (x, y) = 2x + 4

gy (x, y) = 2y − 6.

Setting them equal to zero yields the system of equations

2x + 4 = 0

2y − 6 = 0.

The solution to this system is x = −2 and y = 3. Therefore, (−2, 3) is a critical

point of g. Calculating g (−2, 3) , we get

2 2
g (−2, 3) = (−2) + 3 + 4 (−2) − 6 (3) = 4 + 9 − 8 − 18 = −13.

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The next step involves finding the extrema of g on the boundary of its domain.
The boundary of its domain consists of a circle of radius 4 centered at the origin
as shown in the following graph.

Figure 4.54 Graph of the domain of the function

2 2
g (x, y) = x + y + 4x − 6y.

The boundary of the domain of g can be parameterized using the functions

x (t) = 4 cos t, y (t) = 4 sin t for 0 ≤ t ≤ 2π. Define h (t) = g (x (t) , y (t)) :

h (t) = g (x (t) , y (t))

2 2
= (4 cos t) + (4 sin t) + 4 (4 cos t) − 6 (4 sin t)

2 2
= 16cos t + 16sin t + 16 cos t − 24 sin t

= 16 + 16 cos t − 24 sin t.

Setting h′ (t) = 0 leads to

−16 sin t − 24 cos t = 0

−16 sin t = 24 cos t

−16 sin t 24 cos t

=
−16 cos t −16 cos t

3
tan t = − .
2

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This equation has two solutions over the interval 0 ≤ t ≤ 2π. One is
t = π − arctan ( ) and the other is t = 2π − arctan ( ) . For the first angle,
3 3

2 2

3 3 3√13
sin t = sin (π − arctan ( )) = sin (arctan ( )) =
2 2 13

3 3 2√13
cos t = cos (π − arctan ( )) = −cos (arctan ( )) = − .
2 2 13

8√13 12√13
Therefore, x (t) = 4 cos t = −
13
and y (t) = 4 sin t =
13
, so
8√13 12√13
(−
13
,
13
) is a critical point on the boundary and

2 2
8√13 12√13 8√13 12√13 8√13 12√13
g (− , ) = (− ) + ( ) + 4 (− ) − 6( )
13 13 13 13 13 13

144 64 32√13 72√13

= + − −
13 13 13 13

208−104√13
= ≈ −12.844.
13

For the second angle,

3 3 3√13
sin t = sin (2π − arctan ( )) = −sin (arctan ( )) = −
2 2 13

3 3 2√13
cos t = cos (2π − arctan ( )) = cos (arctan ( )) = .
2 2 13

Therefore, x (t)
8√13
and y (t)
12√13
= 4 cos t =
13
= 4 sin t = −
13
, so
8√13 12√13
(
13
,−
13
) is a critical point on the boundary and

2 2
8√13 12√13 8√13 12√13 8√13 12√13
g( ,− ) = ( ) + (− ) + 4( ) − 6 (− )
13 13 13 13 13 13

144 64 32√13 72√13

= + + +
13 13 13 13

208+104√13
= ≈ 44.844.
13

The absolute minimum of g is −13, which is attained at the point (−2, 3) , which
is an interior point of D. The absolute maximum of g is approximately equal to
44.844, which is attained at the boundary point (
8√13 12√13

13
,−
13
). These are the
absolute extrema of g on D as shown in the following figure.

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Figure 4.55 The function f (x, y) has a local minimum and a local maximum.

CHECKPOINT 4.36

Use the problem-solving strategy for finding absolute extrema of a function to find the
absolute extrema of the function
2 2
f (x, y) = 4x − 2xy + 6y − 8x + 2y + 3

on the domain defined by 0 ≤ x ≤ 2 and −1 ≤ y ≤ 3.

EXAMPLE 4.41

Chapter Opener: Profitable Golf Balls

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Figure 4.56 (credit: modification of work by oatsy40, Flickr)

Pro-T company has developed a profit model that depends on the number x of golf
balls sold per month (measured in thousands), and the number of hours per month of
advertising y, according to the function
2 2
z = f (x, y) = 48x + 96y − x − 2xy − 9y ,

where z is measured in thousands of dollars. The maximum number of golf balls that
can be produced and sold is 50,000, and the maximum number of hours of advertising
that can be purchased is 25. Find the values of x and y that maximize profit, and find
the maximum profit.

[Show/Hide Solution]

Solution
Using the problem-solving strategy, step 1 involves finding the critical points of f on its
domain. Therefore, we first calculate fx (x, y) and fy (x, y) , then set them each
equal to zero:

fx (x, y) = 48 − 2x − 2y

fy (x, y) = 96 − 2x − 18y.

Setting them equal to zero yields the system of equations

48 − 2x − 2y = 0

96 − 2x − 18y = 0.

The solution to this system is x = 21 and y = 3. Therefore (21, 3) is a critical point of

f. Calculating f (21, 3) gives
2 2
f (21, 3) = 48 (21) + 96 (3) − 21 − 2 (21) (3) − 9(3) = 648.

The domain of this function is 0 ≤ x ≤ 50 and 0 ≤ y ≤ 25 as shown in the following

graph.

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Figure 4.57 Graph of the domain of the function

2 2
f (x, y) = 48x + 96y − x − 2xy − 9y .

L1 is the line segment connecting (0, 0) and (50, 0) , and it can be parameterized by
the equations x (t) = t, y (t) = 0 for 0 ≤ t ≤ 50. We then define
g (t) = f (x (t) , y (t)) :

g (t) = f (x (t) , y (t))

= f (t, 0)

2 2
= 48t + 96 (0) − y − 2 (t) (0) − 9(0)

2
= 48t − t .

Setting g ′ (t) = 0 yields the critical point t = 24, which corresponds to the point
(24, 0) in the domain of f . Calculating f (24, 0) gives 576.

L2 is the line segment connecting and (50, 25) , and it can be parameterized by the
equations x (t) = 50, y (t) = t for 0 ≤ t ≤ 25. Once again, we define
g (t) = f (x (t) , y (t)) :

g (t) = f (x (t) , y (t))

= f (50, t)

2 2
= 48 (50) + 96t − 50 − 2 (50) t − 9t

2
= −9t − 4t − 100.

This function has a critical point at t = −

2

9
, which corresponds to the point
(50, −
2

9
). This point is not in the domain of f .

L3 is the line segment connecting (0, 25) and (50, 25) , and it can be parameterized
by the equations x (t) = t, y (t) = 25 for 0 ≤ t ≤ 50. We define
g (t) = f (x (t) , y (t)) :

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g (t) = f (x (t) , y (t))

= f (t, 25)

2 2
= 48t + 96 (25) − t − 2t (25) − 9 (25 )

2
= −t − 2t − 3225.

This function has a critical point at t = −1, which corresponds to the point (−1, 25) ,
which is not in the domain.

L4 is the line segment connecting (0, 0) to (0, 25) , and it can be parameterized by
the equations x (t) = 0, y (t) = t for 0 ≤ t ≤ 25. We define
g (t) = f (x (t) , y (t)) :

g (t) = f (x (t) , y (t))

= f (0, t)

2 2
= 48 (0) + 96t − (0) − 2 (0) t − 9t

2
= 96t − t .

This function has a critical point at t which corresponds to the point (0,
16 16
= , ),
3 3

which is on the boundary of the domain. Calculating f (0, gives 256.

16
)
3

We also need to find the values of f (x, y) at the corners of its domain. These corners
are located at (0, 0) , (50, 0) , (50, 25) and (0, 25) :

2 2
f (0, 0) = 48 (0) + 96 (0) − (0) − 2 (0) (0) − 9(0) = 0

2 2
f (50, 0) = 48 (50) + 96 (0) − (50) − 2 (50) (0) − 9(0) = −100

2 2
f (50, 25) = 48 (50) + 96 (25) − (50) − 2 (50) (25) − 9(25) = −5825

2 2
f (0, 25) = 48 (0) + 96 (25) − (0) − 2 (0) (25) − 9(25) = −3225.

The maximum critical value is 648, which occurs at (21, 3) . Therefore, a maximum
profit of $648,000 is realized when 21,000 golf balls are sold and 3 hours of
advertising are purchased per month as shown in the following figure.

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Figure 4.58 The profit function f (x, y) has a maximum at (21, 3, 648) .

Section 4.7 Exercises

For the following exercises, find all critical points.
310. f (x, y) = 1 + x
2
+ y
2

311. f (x, y) = (3x − 2)

2
+ (y − 4)
2

312. f (x, y) = x
4
+ y
4
− 16xy

313. f (x, y) = 15x

3
− 3xy + 15y
3

For the following exercises, find the critical points of the function by using algebraic techniques
(completing the square) or by examining the form of the equation. Verify your results using the partial
derivatives test.
−−−−−− −−−
314. 2 2
f (x, y) = √x + y + 1

315. f (x, y) = −x
2
− 5y
2
+ 8x − 10y − 13

316. f (x, y) = x
2
+ y
2
+ 2x − 6y + 6

−− −−−−
317. 2 2
f (x, y) = √x + y + 1

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For the following exercises, use the second derivative test to classify any critical points and
determine whether each critical point is a maximum, minimum, saddle point, or none of these.
318. f (x, y) = −x
3
+ 4xy − 2y
2
+ 1

319. f (x, y) = x y
2 2

320. f (x, y) = x
2
− 6x + y
2
+ 4y − 8

321. f (x, y) = 2xy + 3x + 4y

322. f (x, y) = 8xy(x + y) + 7

323. f (x, y) = x
2
+ 4xy + y
2

324. f (x, y) = x
3
+ y
3
− 300x − 75y − 3

325. f (x, y) = 9 − x y
4 4

326. f (x, y) = 7x y + 9xy

2 2

327. f (x, y) = 3x
2
− 2xy + y
2
− 8y

328. f (x, y) = 3x
2
+ 2xy + y
2

329. f (x, y) = y
2
+ xy + 3y + 2x + 3

330. f (x, y) = x
2
+ xy + y
2
− 3x

331. f (x, y) = x
2
+ 2y
2
− x y
2

332. f (x, y) = x
2
+ y − e
y

333.
2 2
−(x +y +2x)
f (x, y) = e

334. f (x, y) = x
2
+ xy + y
2
− x − y + 1

335. f (x, y) = x
2
+ 10xy + y
2

336. f (x, y) = −x
2
− 5y
2
+ 10x − 30y − 62

337. f (x, y) = 120x + 120y − xy − x

2
− y
2

338. f (x, y) = 2x
2
+ 2xy + y
2
+ 2x − 3

339. f (x, y) = x
2
+ x − 3xy + y
3
− 5

340.
2 2
−x −y
f (x, y) = 2xye

For the following exercises, determine the extreme values and the saddle points. Use a CAS to
graph the function.

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341. [T] f (x, y) = ye

x
− e
y

342. [T] f (x, y) = x sin(y)

343. [T] f (x, y) = sin(x)sin(y), x ∈ (0, 2π) , y ∈ (0, 2π)

Find the absolute extrema of the given function on the indicated closed and bounded set R.
344. f (x, y) = xy − x − 3y; R is the triangular region with vertices
(0, 0) , (0, 4) , and (5, 0) .

345. Find the absolute maximum and minimum values of f (x, y) = x

2
+ y
2
− 2y + 1 on the
region R = {(x, y)∣∣x2 + y 2 ≤ 4} .

346. f (x, y) = x
3
− 3xy − y
3
on R = {(x, y): −2 ≤ x ≤ 2, −2 ≤ y ≤ 2}

347. f (x, y) =
−2y
on R = {(x, y): x
2
+ y
2
≤ 4}
2 2
x +y +1

348. Find three positive numbers the sum of which is 27, such that the sum of their squares is
as small as possible.

349. Find the points on the surface x2 − yz = 5 that are closest to the origin.

350. Find the maximum volume of a rectangular box with three faces in the coordinate planes
and a vertex in the first octant on the plane x + y + z = 1.

351. The sum of the length and the girth (perimeter of a cross-section) of a package carried by
a delivery service cannot exceed 108 in. Find the dimensions of the rectangular package
of largest volume that can be sent.

352. A cardboard box without a lid is to be made with a volume of 4 ft3. Find the dimensions of
the box that requires the least amount of cardboard.

353. Find the point on the surface f (x, y) = x2 + y 2 + 10 nearest the plane
x + 2y − z = 0. Identify the point on the plane.

354. Find the point in the plane 2x − y + 2z = 16 that is closest to the origin.

355. A company manufactures two types of athletic shoes: jogging shoes and cross-trainers.
The total revenue from x units of jogging shoes and y units of cross-trainers is given by
R(x, y) = −5x − 8y − 2xy + 42x + 102y, where x and y are in thousands of units.
2 2

Find the values of x and y to maximize the total revenue.

356. A shipping company handles rectangular boxes provided the sum of the length, width, and
height of the box does not exceed 96 in. Find the dimensions of the box that meets this
condition and has the largest volume.

357. Find the maximum volume of a cylindrical soda can such that the sum of its height and
circumference is 120 cm

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