5.

3 Let u(x, y, z) = xk F ( z/x, y/x ), prove that

Review Problem of the Matb 210 in 2012

1.1 Determine (i) the domain and (ii) the range of the function f (x, y) =

2xy
.
x2 + y 2

1.2 Sketch the k-level curve the function of g(x, y) = 9x2 4y 2 if k = 9, 4, 0, 4, 9.

1.3 Describe
(i) the domain and (ii) the graph of the function f (x, y) = 1 +

16 x2 y 2 .
2.1 Let z(x, y) = u(x, y) exp(x + y), where uxy = 0. Determine the constant =
2z
z
z
so that z(x, y) satises

+ z = 0.
xy x y
1
x2
2.2 Dene u(x, t) = exp( ).
4t
t
(i) Determine the domain D =
(ii)
lim u(x, t) =

Hint: Consider the function g(t) = u(tx, ty, tz), and its derivative at t = 1.
5.4 (a) Find the equation of the tangent plane T to the surface S : x2/3 +y 2/3 +z 2/3 =
a2/3 at the point P (x0 , y0 , z0 ) which lies on the surface S.
(b) Find the sum of the squares of the intercepts of the coordinate axii by the
tangent plane T.
5.5 Determine a point on the surface dened by z = xy such that the normal line at
that point is perpendicular to the plane x + 3y + z + 9 = 0. And write down the
equation of the the normal line.

2.3 Suppose that f (x, y) = (x + y)2 /(x2 + y 2 ) except (x, y) = (0, 0).
(i) Prove that f (x, y) is continuous at every point except (0, 0).
(ii) Find the limit of f (x, y) when (x, y) approaches to (0, 0), i.e.

6.1 Let h(x, y) =

lim

f (x, y).

(x,y)(0,0)

3.1 State the chain rule for the composite function of continuously dierentiable function f (x, y, z) and a curve r(t) = (x(t), y(t), z(t)) in space.
3.2 Find the gradient f of the function f (x, y, z) =

1
3x2 y 2 z 2

u
u
u
+y
+z
= ku.
x
y
z

5.6 Determine a point on the surface dened by z = xy such that the normal line at
that point is perpendicular to the plane x + 3y + z + 9 = 0. And write down the
equation of the the normal line.

of u(x, t),

(x,t)(0,0)

(iii) nd ut (0, 1) =

at a point (x, y, z)

inside a sphere S : x2 + y 2 + z 2 = 3.
3.3 Suppose that x = r cos , y = r sin , and let z = f (x, y) be a twice continuously
dierentiable function. Dene g(r, ) = f (r cos , , r sin ). Express
g
2g
(i) g (r, ) =
, and (ii)
, i.e. g , in terms of the partial derivatives of f.

3.4 Determine the directional derivative Du f =

of f (x, y, z) = x2 + y 2 z 2
at the point P (1, 1, 1) along the unit direction u parallel to (1, 1, 1).
4.1 Let R be the circular disc centered at (0, 0) with radius 1. Find the extremum
values of the function z = f (x, y) = 5x2 + xy + 8y 2 in the region R.
4.2 If the function y = y(x, z) is dened implicitly by the equation x2 +y 2 +z 2 = 3xyz,
and u = x2 y 3 z 4 , determine u
z when (x, y, z) = (1, 1, 1).
5.1 Find an equation for the plane that passes through P (2, 1, 3) and is perpendicular to the line : x = 1 + 3t, y = 2 2t, z = 2 + 4t.
5.2 Determine the equation of the tangent plane to the graph of f at Q(0, , 0).

e2x2y + e2xy
. Find
e2x2y e2xy

h
x .

6.2 Let f (x, y, z) be a dierentiable function, and let (x, y, z) = g(, , ) =

( sin cos , sin sin , cos ). Evaluate the derivative

(f g) in terms of
derivatives of f with respect to x, y and z.
6.3 Let f (x, y) = exy + x4 y 3 . Find fxx , fxy and fyy .
2

6.4 Determine the nature of the local point(s) of f (x, y) = x2 xy + y 2 .

6.5 Determine the nature of the local point(s) of f (x, y) = y + x sin y.
6.6 Find a point P (a, b, ab) on the graph of the function z = xy such that the tangent
plane of S at P is parallel to the plane : x + 3y + z = 5.
6.7 Determine the nature of the critical point(s) of the following functions:
(a) f (x, y) = x2 y 2 + 2x + 4y + 5;
(b) g(x, y) = 2x3 24xy + 16y 3 ;
(c) f (x, y) = 4x2 4xy + y 2 + y 4 + 5;
(d) f (x, y) = x3 y 3 .
6.8 Show that f (x, y) = x cos x cos y is dierentiable at P (0, ).
{
2
2
xy xx2 y
if (x, y) = (0, 0)
+y 2
6.9 Let f (x, y) =
Determine (i) fx (x, y) and fy (x, y);
0
if (x, y) = (0, 0).
(ii) fxy (0, 0) and fyx (0, 0).
6.10 Determine the min. volume V of the solid in rst octant bounded by the coordinate
2
2
2
planes and the tangent plane to the ellipsoid E : xa2 + yb2 + zc2 = 1 with a, b, c > 0.

Review Problem of the Math 200 in 2011

2xy
1.1 Determine (i) the domain and (ii) the range of the function f (x, y) = 2
.
x + y2
Solution. As f is given by quotient of two polynomials functions, we can
evaluate the polynomials for any (x, y) R2 . However, if the denominator x2 + y 2 = 0, one can evaluate f (x, y), and hence the domain of f =
{ (x, y) | x2 + y 2 = 0} = R2 \ {(0, 0)}, i.e. the set of all points in R2 except (0, 0).
(ii) For any point (x, y) D, if either one of x and y is zero, then f (x, y) = 0.
Suppose that m = xy where x and y are not zero, then
f (x, y) = f (x, mx) =

2mx2
2m
=
.
x2 + m2 x2
1 + m2

In order to determine the range R, we apply the discriminant method as follows:

2m
for any value u in the range, one has u = 1+m
2 for some real number m R, then
one knows that the quadratic equation um2 2m + u = 0 in m has at least one
real root, so its discriminant = (2)2 4(u)(u) = 4(1 u2 ) 0. Hence one has
1 u 1. So the range of f is the closed interval [1, 1],
Remark. It would be easier to use the polar coordinates (x, y) = (r cos , r sin ).
1.2 Sketch the k-level curve the function of g(x, y) = 9x2 4y 2 if k = 9, 4, 0, 4, 9.

Solution. Taking partial derivatives of z(x, y) with respect to x and y respectively,

zx = ux exp(x + y) + u exp(x + y) = (ux + u)ex+y , and
zy = uy exp(x + y) + u exp(x + y) = (uy + u)ex+y .
Dierentiate again, we get
zxy = (ux + u)y ex+y + (ux + u)ex+y
= (ux + uy )ex+y + uex+y = (ux + uy + u)ex+y .
From the required condition, we have
zxy zx zy + z
= (ux + uy + u)ex+y (uy + u)ex+y (ux + u)ex+y + uex+y
= [+( 1)uy + ( 1)u] ex+y
= (1)(uy +1)ex+y . It follow that if = 1, then the equation zxy zx zy +z = 0
always holds without knowing u exactly.
x2
1
2.2 Dene u(x, t) = exp( ).
4t
t
(i) Determine the domain D =
(ii)
lim u(x, t) =

of u(x, t),

(x,t)(0,0)

(iii) nd ut (0, 1) =
.
Solution. (i) The domain D of the function u(x, t) is { (x, t) R2 | t > 0 } i.e.
D is the right half-plane obtained by removing the y-axis from the xy-plane.
(ii) The limit does not exist, otherwise, let say that the limit is a nite number
A R. Choose a curve C : t = s2 , and x = 2s, which is a parabola given 4t = x2 ,
1
passing through (0, 0). It follows that A = lim+ u(2s, s2 ) = lim+ se
, which is a
s0

contradiction.
( Hence the2 limit
) does
( not
) exist. 2

1
x

exp(
exp( x4t ) +
(iii) ut = t
)
=
4t
t
t
t (
)
2
2
2

= 2t13/2 exp( x4t ) + 1t exp( x4t ) t

x4t
2

= 2t13/2 exp( x4t ) +

ut (0, 1) = 21 .

exp( x4t )

s0

exp( x4t )

x2
4t2 ,

2.3 Suppose that f (x, y) = (x + y)2 /(x2 + y 2 ) except (x, y) = (0, 0).
(i) Prove that f (x, y) is continuous at every point except (0, 0).
(ii) Find the limit of f (x, y) when (x, y) approaches to (0, 0), i.e.
1.3 Describe
(i) the domain and (ii) the graph of the function f (x, y) = 1 +

2
16 x y 2 .
Solution. (i) The domain D of f (x, y) is given by 16 x2 y 2 0, i.e. D is the
closed circular disc with center at (0, 0) with radius 4.
(ii) The graph of f is a set { (x, y,
f (x, y) ) | (x, y) D }, so if (x, y, z) in the graph
of f, one has z = f (x, y) = 1 + 16 x2 y 2 , i.e. (z + 1)2 = 16 (x2 + y 2 ), i.e.
the graph of f consists of the points in the upper hemisphere x2 +y 2 +(z 1)2 = 42
with center at (0, 0, 1) and radius 4.
2.1 Let z(x, y) = u(x, y) exp(x + y), where uxy = 0. Determine the constant =
2z
z
z
so that z(x, y) satises

+ z = 0.
xy x y

lim

f (x, y).

(x,y)(0,0)

Solution. (i) First we know that the domain of f is D = { (x, y) | (x, y) = (0, 0)}.
For any (a, b) D, we have a2 + b2 = 0. By the property of limit,
(x + y)2
lim f (x, y) =
lim
=
(x,y)(a,b)
(x,y)(a,b) x2 + y 2

lim

(x + y)2

(x,y)(a,b)

lim

(x2 + y 2 )

(a + b)2
= f (a, b),
a2 + b2

(x,y)(a,b)

and hence f is continuous at any point in D.

(ii) The limit does not exist, as we evaluate the directional limits of f (x, y) along
two dierent lines 1 : y = x and 2 : y = x passing through (0, 0).
2

4t
The limit of f along 1 at (0, 0) is given by lim f (t, t) = lim (t+t)
t2 +t2 = lim 2t2 = 2.
t0

t0

t0

The limit of f along 2 at (0, 0) is given by lim f (t, t) = lim (tt)

t2 +t2 = lim 0 = 0.
t0

t0

t0

As these two directional limits are not the same, so the original limit
lim f (x, y) does not exist.
(x,y)(0,0)

Remark. When we are studying the limit of a function at certain point (a, b), it
is not necessary that (a, b) lies in the domain of the function of f .
3.1 State the chain rule for the composite function of continuously dierentiable function f (x, y, z) and a curve r(t) = (x(t), y(t), z(t)) in space.
Solution. Chain rule states that the derivative of composite function g(t) =
f (r(t)) is given by
g (t) = f (r(t)) r (t) = x (t)fx (r(t)) + y (t)fy (r(t)) + z (t)fz (r(t)).
3.2 Find the gradient f of the function f (x, y, z) =

1
3x2 y 2 z 2

at a point (x, y, z)

inside a sphere S : x2 + y 2 + z 2 = 3.
Solution.
By direct calculation,
we have
(
)
1

(3 x2 y 2 z 2 )
=

2
2
2
3/2
2
2
2
x
x
2(3 x y z )
3x y z
x
xi + yj + zk
=
, so one has f (x, y, z) =
.
(3 x2 y 2 z 2 )3/2
(3 x2 y 2 z 2 )3/2
3.3 Suppose that x = r cos , y = r sin , and let z = f (x, y) be a twice continuously
dierentiable function. Dene g(r, ) = f (r cos , , r sin ). Express
g
2g
(i) g (r, ) =
, and (ii)
, i.e. g , in terms of the partial derivatives of f.

2
y
x
Solution. (i) g = fx + fy = r sin fx + r cos fy
= r sin fx (r cos , r sin ) + r cos fy (r cos , r sin ), and
y
gr = fx x
r + fy r = cos fx + sin fy
= cos fx (r cos , r sin ) + sin fy (r cos , r sin ),

(ii) g = r
(sin fx ) + r
(cos fy )

= r cos fx r sin fy r sin

(fx ) + r cos
(fy )
= r(cos fx + sin fy ) r sin (r sin fxx + r cos fxy )
+ r cos (r sin fyx + r cos fyy )
= r(cos fx + sin fy ) + r2 (sin2 fxx 2 sin cos fxy + cos2 fyy ).

3.4 Determine the directional derivative Du f =

of f (x, y, z) = x2 + y 2 z 2
at the point P (1, 1, 1) along the unit direction u parallel to (1, 1, 1).
2 2 2.
Solution. u = 2 i+jk
= 13 (i + j k), and f (x, y, z) = 2xi+2yj2zk
2
2
1 +1 +(1)

2 2
=
Hence Du f (1, 1, 1) = f (1, 1, 1) u = 21+21+(2)(1)
2
2

1 +1 +(1) 3

6
2 3 3

x +y z

= 1.

4.1 Let R be the circular disc centered at (0, 0) with radius 1. Find the extremum
values of the function z = f (x, y) = 5x2 + xy + 8y 2 in the region R.
Solution. Let R = { (x, y) | x2 + y 2 12 } be the circular disc, which is closed

and bounded subset of R2 .. We want to nd the max f (x, y) with (x, y) R. Since
the polynomial function f (x, y) is continuous on the entire xy-plane, so f attains
both maximum and minimum values at some points in the closed disc R.
(i) For interior point of the disc R, one can use the critical points to locate the
possible extremum value(s) for f, and f (x, y) = (10x + y, x + 16y). Then f =
(0, 0) if and only if (x, y) = (0, 0) which is in R.
(ii) For the boundary point (x, y) of the disc R, one can use the Lagrange multiplier
method to locate the ext. values for f, on the constraint g(x, y) = 1 where g(x, y) =
x2 + y 2 . It follows from the equation f {
= g of Lagrange multiplier, we have
(10 2)x + y = 0
(10x + y, x + 16y) = 2(x, y), and hence
x + (16 2)y = 0.
2
2
As (x, y) lies on the circle x + y = 1, so there is non-trivial solution for the linear
system, and hence the determinant (102)(162)1 = 0. It follows from that
one can nd the root of this quadratic equation, and then one can determine the
corresponding solution (x, y) in the linear system. With the condition x2 + y 2 = 1,
one has only nite number of points (x, y) for possible extremum, and we leave
the details to the reader.
4.2 If the function y = y(x, z) is dened implicitly by the equation x2 +y 2 +z 2 = 3xyz,
and u = x2 y 3 z 4 , determine u
z when (x, y, z) = (1, 1, 1).
Solution We write x2 + y(x, y)2 + z 2 = 3xy(x, y)z, and then dierentiate with
respect to z, one has 2yyz + 2z = 3xy + 3xzyz , so one has (2y 3xz)yz = 3xy 2z,
3xy 2z
i.e. yz =
. We write u = x2 y(x, z)3 z 4 , then
2y 3xz
(
)
3xy 2z
u
= x2 (4z 3 y + z 4 yz ) = x2 4z 3 y + z 4
,
z
2y 3xz
and hence

u
32
(1, 1) = 4 +
= 3.
z
23

5.1 Find an equation for the plane that passes through P (2, 1, 3) and is perpendicular to the line : x = 1 + 3t, y = 2 2t, z = 2 + 4t.
Solution. The normal vector of the plane is given by the directional vector
v = (3, 2, 4) of the line . As passes through (2, 1, 3), so the equation of is
given by 0 = (x2, y+1, z3)(3, 2, 4) = 3x2y+4z6212 = 3x2y+4z20.
5.2 Determine the equation of the tangent plane to the graph of f at Q(0, , 0).
Solution. As fx (x, y) = cos x cos y x sin x cos y, and fy (x, y) = x cos x sin y. So
fx (0, ) = 1, and fy (0, ) = 0. The equation of the tangent plane to the graph of
z = f (x, y) is given by z 0 = z f (0, ) = fx (0, )(x0)+fy (0, )(y) = x,
i.e. z + x = 0.
5.3 Let u(x, y, z) = xk F ( z/x, y/x ), prove that
x

u
u
u
+y
+z
= ku.
x
y
z

Hint: Consider the function g(t) = u(tx, ty, tz), and its derivative at t = 1.
Solution. It is easy to check that
u(tx, ty, tz) = (tx)k F (

z y
, ) = tk u(x, y, z),
x x

in such a case we call the function u(x, y, z) to be homogeneous of degree k.

Then dene g(t) = u(tx, ty, tz), we have g (t) = ktk1 u(x, y, z). Hence, g (1) =
ku(x, y, z) (). On the other hand, by chain rule, we have
d
(u(tx, ty, tz))
dt
u
d
u
d
u
d
=
(tx, ty, tz) (tx) +
(tx, ty, tz) (ty) +
(tx, ty, tz) (tz)
x
dt
y
dt
z
dt
u
u
u
= x (tx, ty, tz) + y (tx, ty, tz) + z (tx, ty, tz).
x
y
z

g (t) =

u
u
In particular, we set t = 1, then g (1) = x u
x + y y + z z , where the right hand
side is evaluated at the point (x, y, z), and hence the result follows from comparing
it to (*).
Remark. It is dicult to start from the denition of the function u(x, y, z)
to check that the identity holds. In fact, the introduction of homogeneity is a
necessary way to simplify the calculation.

5.4 (a) Find the equation of the tangent plane T to the surface S : x2/3 +y 2/3 +z 2/3 =
a2/3 at the point P (x0 , y0 , z0 ) which lies on the surface S.
(b) Find the sum of the squares of the intercepts of the coordinate axii by the
tangent plane T.
Solution.
(a) The normal vector of the tangent plane to the level function at (x, y, z) is given
by (x2/3 + y 2/3 + z 2/3 ) = 2/3( x1/3 , y 1/3 , z 1/3 ). Then the equation of
the tangent plane to S at P (x0 , y0 , z0 ) is given by
0 =
=
=
=

1/3

1/3

1/3

), (x x0 , y y0 , z z0
1/3
1/3
1/3
(z z0 )
(y y0 ) + z0
x0 (x x0 ) + y0
2/3
2/3
2/3
1/3
1/3
1/3
z (x0 + y0 + z0 )
y + z0
x0 x + y0
1/3
1/3
1/3
x0 x + y0
y + z0
z a2/3 .
< ( x0

, y0

, z0

1/3

1/3

2/3

2/3

2/3

2/3

1/3

2/3

+ y0

2/3

6.2 Let f (x, y, z) be a dierentiable function, and let (x, y, z) = g(, , ) =

(f g) in terms of
( sin cos , sin sin , cos ). Evaluate the derivative
derivatives of f with respect to x, y and z.

f x f y f z
Solution.
(f g) =

x
y
z
= fx sin cos + fy sin sin + fz cos .
6.3 Let f (x, y) = exy + x4 y 3 . Find fxx , fxy and fyy .
2
2
Solution. fx (x, y) = y 2 exy +4x3 y 3 , and fy (x, y) = 2xyexy +3x4 y 2 . Hence
2
fxx (x, y) = y 4 exy + 12x2 y 3 ,
2
2
fxy (x, y) = fyx (x, y) = 2yexy + 2xy 3 exy + 12x3 y 2 and
2
2
fyy (x, y) = 2xexy + 4x2 y 2 e2xy + 6x4 y.
2

6.4 Determine the nature of the local point(s) of f (x, y) = x2 xy + y 2 .

Solution. fx (x, y) = 2x y and fy (x, y) = 2y x. These are both zero when
x = y = 0 so the only critical point is (0, 0). Now fxx (x, y) = 2, fxy (x, y) =
fyx (x, y) = 1 and fyy (x, y) = 2. And the discriminant of f at (0, 0) is given by
2
fxx fyy fxy
= (2)2 (1)2 = 3 > 0. As fxx > 0, so f is is a local minimum at
(x, y) = (0, 0).
6.5 Determine the nature of the local point(s) of f (x, y) = y + x sin y.
Solution. fx (x, y) = sin y and fy (x, y) = 1 + x cos y. Then fx (x, y) = 0 if and only
if y = k where k is any integer. Now fy (x, k) = 1 + x cos(k) = 1 + x(1)k , and
so f (x, y) = (0, 0) if and only if (x, y) = ((1)k , k) where k is any integer. So
we get an innitely many critical points. Now fxx (x, y) = 0, fxy (x, y) = cos y and
fyy (x, y) = xsiny. The discriminant of f at (x, y) is (x, y) = cos2 y, so when
evaluated at any of the critical points ( (1)k , k) is equal to (cos k)2 = 1.
Therefore all the critical points are saddle points.

)>

(b) Then the interceptions are x0 a2/3 , y0 a2/3 , z0 a2/3 respectively. So the
sum of the square of the interceptions of coordinate axii by the plane T is
x0 a4/3 + y0 a4/3 + z0 a4/3 = (x0

e2x2y + e2xy
. Find h
x .
e2x2y e2xy
(2e2x2y + 2ye2xy )(e2x2y e2xy )
h
=
Solution.
x
(e2x2y e2xy )2
(e2x2y + e2xy )(2e2x2y 2ye2xy )
4(1 + y)e2x2y+2xy
=

==
.
(e2x2y e2xy )2
(e2x2y e2xy )2

6.1 Let h(x, y) =

+ z0 )a4/3 = a2/3 a4/3 = a2 .

6.6 Find a point P (a, b, ab) on the graph of the function z = xy such that the tangent
plane of S at P is parallel to the plane : x + 3y + z = 5.
Solution. Rewrite the function z = xy as a level surface S : g(x, y, z) = zxy = 0,
so the normal vector of the tangent plane of the level surface S at P (a, b, ab) is
given by g(a, b, ab) = (y, x, 1)|(x,y,z)=(a,b,ab) = (b, a, 1). The normal vector
to the plane is (1, 3, 1). By comparing the components of these two (parallel)
normal vectors, one knows that (a, b) = (3, 1). So the point P is given by
(3, 1, 3).
Remark. In general, a normal vector to the tangent plane to the graph z = f (x, y)
is given by (fx , fy , 1).

6.7 Determine the nature of the critical point(s) of the following functions:
(a) f (x, y) = x2 y 2 + 2x + 4y + 5;
(b) g(x, y) = 2x3 24xy + 16y 3 ;
(c) f (x, y) = 4x2 4xy + y 2 + y 4 + 5;
(d) f (x, y) = x3 y 3 .
Solution. (a) f (x, y) = (2x + 2, 2y + 4), then f (x, y) = (0, 0) if and
only if (x, y) = (1, 2). We apply the second derivative test, so we nd the second
partial derivatives of f at (x, y): (A, B, C) = (fxx , fxy , fyy ) = (2, 0, 2), which
is independent of the choices of point (x, y), and hence the quadratic form =
AC B 2 = fxx (0, 0)fyy (0, 0) f xy 2 (0, 0) = 4 4 0 = 16 > 0. It follows from
> 0 and A = fxx (0, 0) < 0 that f (0, 0) = 5 is the absolute maximum of f (x, y)
over the entire xy-plane.
(b) g(x, y) = (6x2 24y, 24x + 48y 2 ), then f (x, y) = (0, 0) if and only if
x2 = 4y, and x = 2y 2 , i.e. 4y = x2 = (2y 2 )2 = 4y 4 , so 0 = 4y 4 4y = 4y(y 3 1) =
4y(y 1)(y 2 + y + 41 + 34 ) and hence (x, y) = (0, 0) or (2, 1). Then (A, B, C) =
(gxx , gxy , gyy ) = (12x, 24, 96y) at the point (x, y).
(i) The quadratic form at (0, 0) is 242 > 0, this means g is neither a local max.
nor a local min. at (0, 0).
(ii) As at (2, 1) is 24 96 242 > 0 and A > 0, it means g is a local min. at
(0, 0). Certainly g(2, 1) is not a global maximum value as g(100, 0) > g(2, 1).
Remark. We skip the details of (c) and (d).
6.8 Show that f (x, y) = x cos x cos y is dierentiable at P (0, ).
Solution. As fx (x, y) = cos x cos y x sin x cos y, and fy (x, y) = x cos x sin y. So
fx (0, ) = 1, and fy (0, ) = 0.
f (x, y) fx (0, ) (x 0) fy (0, ) (y )
= x cos x cos y + x =
x(cos x cos y + 1).
It follows
from
|x|

x2 + (y )2 that


 f (x, y) f (0, ) (x 0) + f (0, ) (y ) 


x
y

0

2
2


x + (y )
|x|
| cos x cos y + 1| | cos x cos y + 1|.
=
2
x + (y )2
The result follows from if one applies the sandwich theorem for limit to and
lim
cos x cos y = 1, such that
(x,y)(0,)


 f (x, y) f (0, ) (x 0) + f (0, ) (y ) 


x
y

0
lim


2
2

(x,y)(0,) 
x + (y )

lim | cos x cos y + 1| = 0.

(x,y)(0,)

{
2
2
if (x, y) = (0, 0)
xy xx2 y
2
+y
Determine (i) fx (x, y) and fy (x, y);
6.9 Let f (x, y) =
0
if (x, y) = (0, 0).
(ii) fxy (0, 0) and fyx (0, 0).
(0,0)
Solution. It suces to show that fx (0, 0) = lim f (h,0)f
= lim 00
h
h = 0,
h0

h0

and fy (0, 0) = lim

k0

f (0,k)f (0,0)
k

= lim

k0

00
k

= 0.

4
4
4
4004
= k, and fy (h, 0) = h(h
Note that fx (0, k) = k(0(k2+40k
+02 )2
(h2 +02 )2
x (0,0)
to show that fxy (0, 0) = lim fx (0,k)f
= lim k0
= 1, and
h
k
k0
k0
fy (h,0)fy (0,0)
h
lim
= lim h = 1.
h
h0
h0

= h. Next
fyx (0, 0) =

Exercise. Let f (x, y, z) = sin(3x + yz). Find fxxyz and fxzyx . Show that fxxyy =
fxyyx .
6.10 Determine the min. volume V of the solid in rst octant bounded by the coordinate
2
2
2
planes and the tangent plane to the ellipsoid E : xa2 + yb2 + zc2 = 1 with a, b, c > 0.
Solution. Let P (x0 , y0 , z0 ) be any point on E in rst octant, the equation of
yy0
zz0
0
tangent plane to E at P is given by : xx
a2 + b2 + c2 = 1. The x, y, z-intercepts
2

(abc)
. So in order to determine
of are xa0 , yb0 , zc0 , and V = 16 xa0 yb0 zc0 = 6x
0 y0 z0
the min. value of V it is enough to determine the max. value of f (x, y, z) = xyz
2
2
2
subject to constraint g(x, y, z) = xa2 + yb2 + zc2 = 1, i.e to solve the Lagrange
multiplier equation f = g, for some : (yz, xz, zy) = (2x/a2 , 2y/b2 , 2z/c2 ).
One can easily check that = 0 for the maximum of f. Then after multiplying
2y 2
2x2
2z 2
by x, y, z respectively, we have xyz
( = a2 =) b2 = c2 , and then we add

them up, hence 2 = 2 1 = 2

x2
a2

y2
b2

2x2
a2

2y 2
b2

2z 2
c2 ,

z2
c2

= xyz + xyz + xyz = 3xyz. i.e.

= xyz =
=
=
so (x, y, z) = ( a2 /3, b2 /3, c2 /3) as it lies
in rst octant. As f is continuous and the constraint level surface is a closed and
bounded (compact), it follows that the maximum of f exists, and hence it is the
only solution stated above.
2
3