Maxima and Minima

Problems on 2 Variables

Solved Problems

Q. 1 : Examine the maximum and minimum on the surface :

z = x2 + y2 10x 2y + 36 and find the minimum value of z.
Soln.:
Tips :
z = x2 + y2 10x 2y + 36
For maximaminima, on the surface, we have
z
y

z
x

= 0,

z
x

= 2x 10 = 0

(1)

z
y

= 2y 2 = 0

(2)

=0

Solving equation (1) and equation (2),

2x 10 = 0 or x = 5
2y 2 = 0 or y = 1
Thus the point to be examined is (5, 1)
Now let us find r, s, t from equations (1) and (2)
r=

2z
x 2

s=

2z
x y

t=

2z
y 2

=2
=0
=2

rt s2 = 2(2) 02 = 4 > 0
Further r = 2 > 0
Hence there is a minimum at (5, 1).
1

Maxima and Minima

Problems on 2 Variables

Solved Problems

To find this minimum value put x = 5, y = 1 in the given

expression for z.
z = x2 + y2 10x 2y + 36

i.e.

Tip 6

zmin= 25 + 1 50 2 + 36 = 10
Ans.:

Minimum value at (5, 1) is 10 units.

Q. 2) : Examine the maximum and minimum on the surface :

z = x3 + 3xy2 15y2 15y2 + 72x
Soln.:
z = x3 + 3xy1 15x 15y2 + 72x
For maximum-minimum on the surface

z
y

z
x

= 0,

z
x

= 3x2 + 3y2 30x + 72 = 0

z
y

=0

= 6xy 30y = 0

From equation (2) we get

6y(x 5) = 0 or y(x 5) = 0

y = 0 and x = 5

From equation (1), when y = 0

3x2 30 x + 72 = 0

3(x 4) (x 6) = 0

x = 4, x = 6

Thus the points are (4, 0), (6, 0)

(1)

(2)

Maxima and Minima

Problems on 2 Variables

Solved Problems

Again for x = 5, from equation (1)

75 + 3y2 150 + 72 = 0 or y2 = 1

y=1

The points are (5, 1), (5, 1)

Thus the points to be examined are (4, 0), (6, 0), (5, 1),
(5, 1)
rt s2 = (6x 30)2 36 y2 = 36 {(x 5)2 y2}
(a) at (4, 0) rt s2 = 36 {1} > 0
and r = 24 30 = 6 < 0

There is a minimum.

(b) at (6, 0) rt s2 = 36 (1) > 0

and r = 36 30 > 0

There is a minimum.

(c) at (5, 1) rt s2 = 36 (1) < 0

no maximum and no minimum.

(d) at (5, 1) rt s2 = 36 (1) < 0

Ans.:

No maximum and no minimum.

(a) Maximum at (4, 0),

(b) Minimum at (6, 0),

(c) No maximum and no minimum at (5, 1),
(d) No maximum and no minimum at (5, 1).
Q. 3) : Examine the maximum and minimum on the surface :
z = x3 + y3 3axy. (Dec. 2003)
Slon.:
3

Maxima and Minima

Problems on 2 Variables

Solved Problems

z = x3 + y3 3axy
For maxima-minima,

z
y

= 0,

z
y

=0

z
x

= 3x2 3ay = 0 or x2 ay = 0

z
y

= 3y2 3ax = 0 or y2 ax = 0

(1)
(2)

Multiply equation (1) by x and equation (2) by y and

subtract to get
x3 axy = 0
y3 axy = 0
or

x3 y3 = 0 or x = y

From equation (1),

x2 ax = 0

or

x (x a) = 0

So that x = 0, x = a

from equation (1), y = 0, y = a

The points to be examined are (0, 0) and (a, a)

Now r =

2z
x 2

s=

2z
x y

t=

2z
y 2

= 6x
= 3a
= 6y

rt s2 = 6s.6y (3a)2 = 36xy 9a2

(a) at (0, 0), rt s2 = 9a2 < 0
which means there are no maximum and no
minimum
at the point (0, 0)
4

Maxima and Minima

Problems on 2 Variables

Solved Problems

(b) at (a, a) rt s2 = 36a2 9a2 > 0 and r = 6a

If a > 0, r > 0 and there is a minimum at (a, a)
a < 0, r < 0 and there is a maximum at (a, a) Tip 6
Ans.:

(a) No maximum and no minimum at (0, 0).

(b) Maximum at (a, a) if a < 0 and Minimum at (a, a) if

a > 0.
Q. 4) : Examine the maximum and minimum on the surface.
z = x3 + 3xy 3x2 3y2 + 4
Soln. :
Tips. :
z = x3 + 3xy2 3x2 3y2 + 4
For maxima-minima, z = 0,
x

z
x

Now,

z
y

=0

= 3x2 + 3y2 6x = 0
= x2 + y2 2x = 0 (1)

z
y

= 6xy 6y = 0
= y(x 1) = 0

(2)

y = 0 or x = 1

For y = 0 from x2 + y2 2x = 0, we get

x2 2x = 0 or x(x 2) = 0 or x = 0, x = 21
The points are (0, 0) or (2, 0) and for x = 1 from x2
+ y2 2x = 0, we get
y2 1 = 0 or y = 1

The points are (1, 1), (1, 1)

5

Maxima and Minima

Problems on 2 Variables

Solved Problems

Thus the points to be examined are (0, 0), (2, 0), (1, 1),
(1, 1)
Now let us find r, s, t.
r=

2z
x 2

= 6x 6, s =

2z
x y

= 6y, t =

2z
y 2

= 6x 6

Thus rt s2 = (6x 6)2 36y2

(a) at (0, 0), rt s2 = 36 > 0, and r = 6 < 0.
Hence there is a maximum at (0, 0)
(b) at (2, 0) rt s2 = 6. 6 02 = 36 > 0, r = 6 < 0.
Hence there is minimum at (2, 0)
(c) at (1, 1), rt s2 = 0 36 < 0.
There is no maximum and no minimum
(d) at (1, 1), rt s2 = 36< 0.
There is no maximum and no minimum at (1, 1).
Ans.:

(a) Maximum at (0, 0).

(b) a minimum at (2, 0).

(c) No maximum and no minimum at (1, 1).
(d) No maximum and no minimum at (1, 1).

Maxima and Minima

Problems on 2 Variables

Solved Problems

Q. 5) : Examine the maximum and minimum on the surface :

u = xy + a2

1 1
.
x y

(Dec., 2005)

Soln.:
1 1

x y

u = xy + a2

For maxima, minima, we should have

u
x

= y + a2 x1 = 0

(1)

u
y

= x + a2 y1 = 0

(2)

u
x

= 0,

u
y

=0

From equations (1) and (2),

x2y = a2 = xy2

x2y = xy2

or

x2y xy2 = 0

or x = y, so that from x2y = a2

x = 0, y = 0

xy(x y) = 0

x3 = a2 or x = a2/3

we get

y = a2/3

The points to be examined are (0, 0), (a2/3, a2/3).

Now, let us find r, s, t.

r=

2u
x 2

s=

2u
x y

t=

2u
y 2

2a 2
x3

=1
=

rt s2 =

2a 2
y3
2a 2
x3

2a 2
y3

1
7

Maxima and Minima

Problems on 2 Variables

Solved Problems

(a) at (0, 0), rt s2 does not exist as it becomes ,

(b) at (a2/3, a2/3)
2a 3
x3

rt s2 =
r=

2a 2
x3

2a 2
a2

2a 2
y3

1 =

4 a4
a4

1=413>0

= 2 > 0.

There is a minimum at (a2/3 , a2/3)

Ans.:(a)Maximum and minimum does not exist at (0, 0).

(b) Minimum at (a2/3, a2/3).
Q. 6) : A rectangular box, open at the top is to have a
volume 108 m3. Find the dimensions of the box so that the
surface area is minimum.
(May 2003)
Soln.:
Tips :
Let x, y, z be the length, breadth and height of the box.
Then the volume of the box is given by v = xyz or 108
= xyz.
Tip 1

z=

108
xy

(1)

If S is the surface area of the box, then S = xy + 2yz +

2zx,
(since the top with sides x and y are open.)
We want the minimum of S, for which
S
x

= 0,

S
y

=0

Now from equation (1), eliminating the third variable z,

we get
8

Maxima and Minima

Problems on 2 Variables

S = xy + 2(y + x)
or

S = xy +

216
y

Solved Problems

108
xy

216
x

S
x

= y

216
x2

= 0 or x2y = 216

S
y

= x

216
y2

= 0 or xy2 = 216

x2y = xy2

or x2y xy2 = 0
or xy (x y) = 0 or x = 0, y = 0, x = y
x = 0, y = 0 is not possible as the box can not be
constructed

x = y, which gives

From xy2 = 216, y3 = 216 or y = 6 x = 6

Thus the point to be examined is (6, 6)
Now

r=

2S
x 2

t=
s=
t=

rt s2 =

at (6, 6),

= (216x )(2)

2S
y 2

= (216y )(2)
3

2S
=
x y

(216 )(2)
x3

(216 )(2)
y3

(216 )(2) (216 )(2)

. y3
x3

rt s2 =

(216 )(2)
63

1
(216 )(2)
63

= 2.2 1 = 4 1 = 3 > 0
and

r=

(216 )(2)
63

(216 )(2)
63

=2>0

Hence there is a minimum at (6, 6).

9

Maxima and Minima

Problems on 2 Variables

Solved Problems

Therefore the dimensions of the box are

x = 6, y = 6, z =

108
x y

108
6 6

=3

Thus the sides of the box are 6 m, 6 m, 3 m with

minimum surface area
xy + 2yz + 2zx = 6.6 + 2.3 + 2.6.3
S = 36 + 36 + 36 = 108 sq.m.
Ans.:
m

Dimensions of the box are : 6, 6, 3 and S = 108 sq.

Q. 7) : Find the minimum distance from the origin of any

point (x, y, z) on the plane z2 = 1 + xy.
Soln.:
Tips :
Let P (x, y, z) be any point

d(OP) =

(x 0)2 (y 0)2 (z 0)2

x2 y2 z2

If the distance is maximum or minimum, then its

square or square root is maximum or minimum.
Let the distance of any point from the origin be given
by

x2 y2 z2

Let u = x2 + y2 + z2

(1)

The point of intersection of this distance (line) with the

plane can be obtained by eliminating z between the two
equations.

u = x2 + y2 + 1 + xy

For maxima-minima, we have

10

Maxima and Minima

Problems on 2 Variables

u
y

u
x

= 0,

u
y

= 2x + y = 0

(2)

u
x

= 2y + x = 0

(3)

Solved Problems

=0

Solving equation (2) and equation (3), we get x = 0, y = 0

The point to be examined is (0, 0)

r=

2u
x 2

=2

t=

2u
y 2

=2

s=

2u
x y

=1

rt s2 = 2.2 1 = 3 > 0 and r = 2 > 0.

Therefore there is a minimum at (0, 0).

x = 0, y = 0

from z2 = 1 + xy, z2 = 1

So that z = 1. Thus the points of minimum are (0, 0, 1)

The minimum distance from the origin of any
point on the given plane is
2u
x y

Ans.:

x2 y2 z2

0 2 0 2 12

Minimum distance 1 unit.

11

1 unit

Maxima and Minima

Problems on 2 Variables

Q. Find all stationary value of :F(x,y) = + +

Fy = 6xy -30y
Fy = + +
Now fx = fy = 0

+ + =
6xy 30y = 0
6y (x 5) = 0
x=5,y=0

If x = 5 ,
y = 1
Points are (5 , 1) , (5 , -1)
If y =0
(1)
+ 72 = 0
x = 4, 6
Points are ( 4,0 ) , ( 6,0 )
r = fxx = 6x- 30 s = fxy = 6y t = fyy = 6x 30
pts

(4,0) 6 <0

t
6

rt-

36 > 0

36 > 0

{ f has max at (4,0) }

(6,0)

6>0

{ f has min at (6,0) }

12

Solved Problems

Maxima and Minima

(5,1)

Problems on 2 Variables

Solved Problems

36 < 0

36 < 0

{ Sadle Point}
(5, -1)

{ Sadle Point}
fmax = () () +
= 112
fmin = () () +
= 108

Q . 1) Show that minimum value of :f(x,y) = xy + { + }

: = y -

= x -

= =0

y =
x=

&

x =

=
13

Maxima and Minima

Problems on 2 Variables

x = a
y=a
Stationary point is (a,a)
r = =

s = = 1
t = =

at (a,0)
r=2>0
s=1
t=2
rt - = 4 1 = 3 > 0
(, )
& = + { + } =

14

Solved Problems

Maxima and Minima

Problems on 2 Variables

Solved Problems

Q . 2) Divide 120 into three parts so that sum of their

products taken two at a time shall be maximum.
Solution:- Let x, y, z be three parts of 120
i.e x + y + z = 120
function to be maximized is
f(x, y, z) = xy + yz + xz
= xy + y (120 x y) + x (120 - x - y)
=xy + 120y xy - + 120x - - xy
f(x, y, z) = - - + 120x + 120y xy
= +
= +
= 0 =
2x + y = 120
2y + x = 120
On solving
x = 40 ,
y = 30 + 10 = 40
15

Maxima and Minima

Problems on 2 Variables

Solved Problems

r = = -2<0
s = = -1<0
t = = -2<0
- = 4 1 = 3>0
f is maximum at (40,40)
And

z = 120 x y = 120 80
=40
Z = 40

Three parts are 40, 40, 40 so that sum is maximum.

Q. 3) Find points on surface = xy + 1 which are at the

least distance from origin.
Solution:- Let p(x, y, z) be any arbitrary point on given
surface then,
function to be minimized is
f(x, y, z) = (p, 0)
16

Maxima and Minima

Problems on 2 Variables

= + +
f(x, y, z) = + + +
= +
= 2y + x
r = = 2
s = = 1
t = = 2
= 0 =
2x + y = 0
x + 2y = 0
x = 0, y = 0
at (0,0)
r = 2>0

17

Solved Problems

Maxima and Minima

Problems on 2 Variables

Solved Problems

s=1
t=2
(, )
& = 1 z =
(0, 0, 1) & (0, 0, -1) are points on surface at least
distance.

Q. 4) A rectangle box with open top has volumme v. Find

dimension of the box requiring least material.
Solution:- Let x, y, z be dimensions of the box.
Material required will be least if surface area is manimum.
Surface area is mimimum.
function to be minimized is
f(x, y, z) = xy + 2xz + 2yz
But v = xyz
(, )
f(x, y, z) = xy + 2x

+ 2y

18

Maxima and Minima

Problems on 2 Variables

= xy + 2 +

= y -

= x -

r = =
s = = 1

t = =

= 0 =

y = ,
x=

x=

1 =
= 2y
19

Solved Problems

Maxima and Minima

Problems on 2 Variables

Solved Problems

x = ()
Similarly

y = ()
at (x,y)

r = = 2>0

t=2

s=1
rt - = 4 1 = 3 > 0

f is minimum at (() , () )

But z = =
z=

()

()

()

()

z=

2z = = ()
x=y

Dimension are () , () , ( )
20