find max and min of f(x,y) = (x - y)^2 xy

Expert Answers

An illustration of the letter 'A' in a speech bubbles

You need to expand the square using the formula `(a-b)^2 = a^2 - 2ab + b^2`  such that:

`f(x,y)= (x^2 - 2xy + y^2)xy => f(x,y) = x^3y - 2x^2y^2 + xy^3`

You need to evaluate the critical points, hence, you need to solve the equations `f_x=0`  and `f_y=0`  such that:

`f_x = 3x^2y - 4y^2x + y^3 => 3x^2y - 4y^2x + y^3 = 0`

`y(3x^2 - 4xy + y^2) = 0 => y = 0`

`3x^2 - 4xy + y^2 = 0 => 4xy = 3x^2 + y^2` 

`f_y = x^3 - 4x^2y + 3xy^2 => x^3 - 4x^2y + 3xy^2 = 0`

`x(x^2 - 4xy + 3y^2) = 0 => x = 0`

Substituting `3x^2 + y^2`  for `4xy`  yields:

`x^2 -(3x^2 + y^2) + 3y^2 = 0`

`x^2 - 3x^2 + 3y^2 - y^2 = 0`

`-2x^2 + 2y^2 = 0 => -2(x^2 - y^2) = 0`

Converting the difference of squares into a product yields:

`x^2 - y^2 = (x-y)(x+y)`

`x^2 - y^2 = 0 => (x-y)(x+y) = 0 => x = +-y`

Hence, evaluating the critical points of the given function yields that the only critical point is (0,0).

See eNotes Ad-Free

Start your 48-hour free trial to get access to more than 30,000 additional guides and more than 350,000 Homework Help questions answered by our experts.

Get 48 Hours Free Access
Approved by eNotes Editorial Team