Maxima and Minima

Single Variable 11.5

EXAMPLES
Example 1. Find points of maxima and minima of f (x)  3 cos2 x  sin6 x, – /2  x  /2.
[Delhi Maths (P), 2003]
2 6
Solution. Let y  3 cos x  sin x, – /2  x  /2 ...(1)
Then dy/dx  – 6 cos x sin x  6 sin5 x cos x ...(2)
For maximum and minimum values of y, we have
dy/dx  0 or 6 sin x cos x (sin4 x – 1)  0 ...(3)
4
But for – /2  x  /2, cos x  0 and (sin x – 1)  0
Hence, (3)  sin x  0 or x  0 for – /2  x  /2.
Now, from (2), d2y/dx2  – 6 (cos2 x – sin2 x)  6 (5 sin4 x cos2 x – sin6 x)
 At x  0, d2y/dx2  – 6  0, showing that y is maximum when x  0.
Example 2. Prove that the function f defined by f (x)   x – 2   x – 3   x  R has a
minimum value 0 at 2, 3 and a maximum value 1/4 at 5/2. [Delhi B.Sc. (H), 2000]
Solution. Let y  f (x). Then, we have
(2  x) (3  x) if x  2
.
y  | x  2 | | x  3 |  ( x  2) ( 3  x ) if 2  x  3
( x  2) ( x  3) if x  3

6  5x  x 2 , if x  2
or y  f ( x)   6  5x  x 2 , if 2  x  3 ... (1)
x 2  5x  6, if x  3
Clearly f (x) is continuous everywhere. Also, f (2)  f (3)  0.
f (2  h)  f ( 2) 6  5 ( 2  h)  ( 2  h ) 2  0
Here L f  (2)  lim  lim  1
h0 h h0 h
f (2  h)  f ( 2)  6  5 (2  h)  (2  h) 2  0
and R f  (2)  lim  lim 1
h0 h h0 h
Since L f  (2)  R f  (2) so f  (x) does not exist at x  2  x  2 is a critical point of y.
Again, L f  (2)  0 and R f  (2)  0  f (x) is minimum at x  2.
Further, minimum value at x  2 is given by f (2)  0.
f (3  h)  f (3)  6  5 (3  h)  ( 3  h) 2  0
Next, L f  (3)  lim  lim  1
h 0 h h0 h
f (3  h)  f (3) ( 3  h ) 2  5 (3  h )  6  0
and R f  (3)  lim  lim  1
h 0 h h0 h
Since L f  (3)  R f  (3) so f  (x) does not exist at x  3  x  3 is a critical point of y.
Also, L f  (3)  0 and R f  (3)  0  f (x) is minimum at x  3.
Further, minimum value at x  3 is given by f (3)  0.
Now, for 2  x  3, y  – 6  5x – x2
 dy/dx  5 – 2x and d2y/dx2  – 2.
Since d2y/dx2 is negative, it follows that the value of x for which y is maximum is given by
dy/dx  0 or 5 – 2x  0 or x  5/2.
Further, maximum value at x  5/2 is given by f (5/2)  – 6  25/2 – 25/4  1/4.
11.6 Elements of Real Analysis

Example 3. Find the maximum value of the function

f (x)   3 – x    2  x    5 – x . [Delhi Maths (H), 2003]
Solution. Here f (x)   3 – x    2  x    5 – x  ...(1)
From (1), 3 – x – (2  x)  5 – x  6 – 3x, if x  – 2
f (x)  3 – x  2  x  5 – x  10 – x, if – 2  x  3 ...(2)
x – 3  2  x  5 – x  4  x, if 3  x  5
x – 3  2  x  x – 5  – 6  3x, if x  5.
Here, from (2) f (– 2)  12, f (3)  7 and f (5)  9.
f (  2  h)  f ( 2) 6  3 (  2  h)  12
Now, L f  (  2)  lim  lim  3
h0 h h0 h
f (  2  h)  f (  2) 10  (  2  h )  12
and R f  (  2)  lim  lim  1
h0 h h0 h
Since L f  (– 2)  R f  (– 2), so f  (x) does not exist at x  – 2. Hence x  – 2 is a critical point.
But L f  (– 2)  0 and R f  (– 2)  0 show that there is neither a maxima nor minima of f (x) at x
 – 2.
f (3  h)  f (3) 10  (  3  h)  7
Next, L f  (3)  lim  lim  1
h0 h h0 h
f (3  h)  f (3) 4  3 h 7
and R f  (3)  lim  lim 1
h0 h h0 h
Since L f  (3)  R f  (3), so f  (x) does not exist at x  3. Hence x  3 is a critical point.
But L f  (3)  0 and R f  (3)  0 and hence f (x) is minimum at x  3 and the required minimum
value  f (3)  7.
f (5  h)  f (5) 45h 9
Finally, L f  (5)  lim  lim 1
h 0 h h0 h
f (5  h )  f (5)  6  3 (5  h)  9
and R f  (5)  lim  lim  3
h 0 h h0 h
Since L f  (5)  R f  (5), so f  (x) does not exist at x  5. Hence x  5 is a critical point. But
L f  (5) and R f  (5) are of the same sign, so there is neither a maxima nor a minima at x  5.
Example 4. Find the maxima and minima of the function
f ( x )  sin x  (1 / 2) sin 2x  (1 / 3) sin 3x, for all x  [0 , ].
[Delhi Maths (G), 2004; Delhi Maths (H), 1999, 2004]
Solution. f  (x)  cos x  cos 2x  cos 3x  cos 2x  2 cos 2x cos x
Thus, f  (x)  cos 2x (1  2 cos x), x  [0, ].
 f  ( x )  0  cos 2 x  0  2 x   / 2, 3 / 2  x   / 4, 3 / 4, for 0  x  
and 1 + 2 cos x  0  cos x   1 / 2  x  2 / 3, for 0  x  
Now f  (x)  – sin x – 2 sin 2x – 3 sin 3x.
 f  (  / 4)   1 / 2  2  3 / 2  0  f (x) has a maxima at x  /4.
f  (3 / 4)   1/ 2  2  3/ 2  2  2 2  0  f (x) has a maxima at x  3/4
and f  (2 / 3)   3 / 2  2  ( 3 / 2)  0  3 /2  0  f (x) has a minima at x  2/3.
Maxima and Minima 11.7

  1  1 3 1 1 1 4 43
Maximum value at x  is sin  sin  sin    
4 4 2 2 3 4 2 2 3 2 6
3 3 1 3 1 9 1 1 1 4 23
Maximum value at x  is sin  sin  sin    
4 4 2 2 3 4 2 2 3 2 6
2 2 1 4 1 3 1 3 3
Minimum value at x  is sin  sin  sin 2      .
3 3 2 3 3 2 2 2 4

Example 5. Given n real numbers a1, a2, ....., an, find the value of x for which the sum
n
2
 ( x  ai ) is a minimum. [Delhi B.A. 2009; Delhi Maths (G), 1990]
i 1
n
Solution. Let f ( x)   ( x  ai ) 2
i1
n
 f  ( x )   2 ( x  a i )  2nx  2 (a1  a 2  .....  a n ).
i1
The arithmetic mean ( a ) of a 1 , a 2 , ..... , a n is given by
a  (a1  a 2  .....  a n ) / n so that na  (a1  a 2  .....  a n ).
 f  ( x )  2nx  2na and f  ( x )  2n  0.
The extreme values of f are given by f  ( x )  0  2nx  2na  0  x  a .
Since f  ( x )  2 n  0, f has a minimum at x  a .
2
Example 6. Find the maximum value of (1 / x 2 ) 2 x , x  0. [I.A.S. (Prel.), 2002]
2
Solution. Let f ( x )  (1 / x 2 ) 2 x , then log f (x)  (2x2) log (1/x2)  – 4x2 log x
 f  ( x ) / f ( x)   4 {2 x log x  x 2  (1 / x )}   4 x (2 log x  1)
 f  ( x)   4 x f ( x ) (2 log x  1) ...(1)
For maxima and minima of f (x), f  (x)  0
i.e., – 4x f (x) (2 log x  1)  0  2 log x  1  0 as x  0 and f (x)  0
Now, 2 log x  1  0  log x   1 / 2  x  e  1/ 2  1 / e
From (2), f  (x)  – 4 f (x) (2 log x  1) – 4x f  (x) (2 log x  1) – 4x f (x)  (2/x)
or f  (x)  – 4 f (x) (2 log x  3) – 4x f  (x) (2 log x  1)
Also f  (1 / e )   4 f (1 / e ) . (2 log e  1/ 2  3)   8 f (1 / e )  0
[ f (1 / e )  e 2 / e  0]
So f is maximum at x  1/ e and maximum value of f (x) at x  1/ e is f (1 / e )  e 2/ e .

We now proceed to discuss problems in which the quantity whose maximum or minimum
value is required is not directly given as a function of one variable. In such problems we shall
write down a functional relation from the given problem and then proceed as before. Very often
the quantity whose maximum or minimum value is required can be expressed as a function of
two variables and these two variables can be connected by a relation with the help of the given
problem. With help of this relation the quantity can be expressed in terms of one variable.
 Maxima Minima : Two Variables
76 Partial Differentiation
1 2
= [h r  2 h k s  k 2 t ] ...(3)
2!
2 f 2 f 2 f
where r = 2
,s ,t  at ( a, b)
x  x y  y2
Now the sign of L.H.S. of (3) is sign of [rh2 + 2hks + k2 t]
1 2 2
= sign of [ r h  2hkrs  k 2 rt ] = sign of 1 [(r 2 h 2  2 hkrs  k 2 s 2 )  ( k 2 s 2  k 2rt )]
r r
1
= sign of [(hr  ks )2  k 2 ( rt  s 2 )]
r
1
= sign of [(always + ve)  k 2 ( rt  s 2 )] [(hr + ks)2 = + ve]
r
1 2
= sign of [ k (rt  s 2 )] = sign of r if rt – s2 > 0
r
Hence, if rt – s2 > 0, then f (x, y) has a maximum or minimum at (a, b), according as r < 0 or
r > 0.
Note: (i) If rt – s2 < 0, then L.H.S. will change with h and k hence there is no maximum or
minimum at (a, b), i.e., it is a saddle point.
1
(ii) If rt – s2 = 0, then rh2 + 2shk + tk2 = [(rh  sk ) 2  k 2 ( rt  s 2 )]
r
1
= ( rh  sk ) 2 which is zero for values of h, k, such that
r
h s
 = 
k r
This is, therefore, a doubtful case, further investigation is required.
1.29 WORKING RULE TO FIND EXTREMUM VALUES
f f 2 f 2 f 2 f
,
(i) Differentiate f (x, y) and find out  x  y , , ,
 x2  x  y  y 2
f f
(ii) Put = 0 and = 0 and solve these equations for x and y. Let (a, b) be the values
x y
of (x, y).
2 f 2 f 2 f
(iii) Evaluate r = ,s , t  2 for these values (a, b).
x 2 x y y
(iv) If rt – s2 > 0 and
(a) r < 0, then f (x, y) has a maximum value.
(b) r > 0, then f (x, y) has a minimum value.
(v) If rt – s2 < 0, then f (x, y) has no extremum value at the point (a, b).
(vi) If rt – s2 = 0, then the case is doubtful and needs further investigation.
f f
Note: The point (a, b) which are the roots of  0, = 0, are called stationary points.
x y
Example 87. Discuss the maximum and minimum of x2 + y2 + 6x + 12.
Solution. We have, f (x, y) = x2 + y2 + 6x + 12
f f 2 f 2 f 2 f
= 2 x  6,  2 y, 2  2, 2  2, 0
x y x y x y

f f
For maxima and minima, = 0 and =0
x y
Partial Differentiation 77

 2x + 6 = 0, and 2y = 0
 x = – 3, and y = 0
At (– 3, 0) rt – s2 = 2 2 – 0 = 4 > 0
r= 2> 0
Hence f (x, y) is minimum when x = – 3 and y = 0
Minimum value = f (– 3, 0) = 9 + 0 – 18 + 12 = 3 Ans.
Example 88. Find the absolute maximum and minimum values of
f (x, y) = 2 + 2x + 2y – x2 – y2
on triangular plate in the first quadrant, bounded by the lines x = 0, y = 0 and y = 9 – x.
(Gujarat, I semester, Jan. 2009)
Solution. We have, 2
f (x, y) = 2 + 2x + 2y – x – y 2

f f
= 2 – 2x, = 2 – 2y
x y
2 f 2 f 2 f
= – 2,  0, 2
x 2 xy y 2
For maxima and minima,
f
= 0  2 – 2x = 0  x = 1
x
f
= 0  2 – 2y = 0  y = 1
y
At (1, 1) rt – s2 = (– 2) (– 2) – 0 = 4 > 0
Hence f (x, y) is maximum at (1, 1).
Maximum value of f (x, y) = 2 + 2 + 2 – 1 – 1 = 4 Ans.
3 3
Example 89. Examine f (x, y) = x + y – 3 a x y for maximum and minimum values.
(U.P. I Sem., Dec. 2004), (M.U. 2004, 2003)
Solution. We have, 3 3
f (x, y) = x + y – 3axy
f f
p= = 3x2 – 3ay,, q= = 3y2 – 3ax
x y

2 f 2 f 2 f
r=  6 x, s = xy   3a , t   6y
x 2 y 2
For maxima and minima
f f
=0 and =0
x y
3x2 – 3 ay = 0. 3y2 – 3 ax = 0

x2
 x2 = ay  y = ...(1)  y2 = ax ...(2)
a
Putting the value of y from (1) in (2), we get
x4 = a3x  x(x3 – a3) = 0
 x(x – a)(x2 + ax + a2) = 0
 x = 0, a
78 Partial Differentiation
Putting x = 0 in (1), we get y = 0,
Putting x = a in (1), we get y = a,
Stationary pairs (0, 0) (a, a)
r 0 6a
s – 3a – 3a
t 0 6a
rt – s2 –9a2 < 0 27 a2 > 0
At (0, 0) there is no extremum value, since rt – s2 < 0.
At (a, a), rt – s2 > 0, r > 0
Therefore (a, a) is a point of minimum value.
The minimum value of f (a, a) = a3 + a3 – 3 a3 = – a3 Ans.
Example 90. Show that the function
f (x,y) = x3 + y3 – 63 (x + y) + 12 xy
is maximum at (– 7, – 7) and minimum at (3, 3).
Solution. We have, f (x,y) = x3 + y3 – 63 (x + y) + 12 xy ...(1)
f f
= 3x2 – 63 + 12y, = 3y2 – 63 + 12x
x y
2 f 2 f 2 f
= 6x,  12,  6y
x 2 x y y 2
For extremum, we have
f
p= = 3x2 – 63 + 12y = 0  x2 + 4y – 21 = 0 ...(2)
x
f
q= = 3y2 – 63 + 12x = 0  y2 + 4x – 21 = 0 ...(3)
y
2 f 2 f 2 f
r=  6x  s =  12  t =  6y
x 2  x y y 2
We have to solve (2) and (3) for x and y.
On subtracting (3) from (2), we have
x2 – y2 – 4 (x – y) = 0  (x – y) (x + y – 4) = 0
x = y and x + y = 4 ...(4)
2
If x = y then (2) becomes, x + 4x – 21 = 0, (x + 7)(x – 3) = 0
x = – 7, and x = 3
y = – 7, and y = 3
Two stationary points are (–7, –7) and (3, 3).
On solving (2) and (4), we get
x2 + 4 (4 – x) – 21 = 0,  x2 – 4x – 5 = 0
 (x – 5) (x + 1) = 0
x = – 1, x = 5
y = 5, y = – 1
Two more stationary points are (–1, 5) and (5, –1).
Hence four possible extremum points of f (x, y) are (– 7, – 7), (3, 3), (–1, 5) and (5, – 1)
may be.
Partial Differentiation 79

Stationary pairs (– 7, – 7) (3, 3) (– 1, 5) (5, – 1)

r = 6x – 42 + 18 –6 30
s = 12 12 12 12 12
t=6y – 42 18 30 –6
r t – s2 + 1620 + 180 – 324 – 324
At (– 7, – 7)
r = – ve, and rt – s2 = + ve
Hence, f (x, y) is maximum at (– 7, – 7),
At (3, 3) r = + ve, and rt – s2 = + ve
Hence, f (x, y) is minimum at (3, 3). Proved.
2 2 2
Example 91. Find the extreme values of u = x y – 5x – 8xy – 5y . 2

Solution. We have,
u
u = x2 y2 – 5x2 – 8xy – 5y2  p = = 2xy2 – 10x – 8y
x
u  2u
q = 2
= 2x y – 8x – 10y  r = = 2y2 – 10
y x 2
 2u  2u
s =  4 xy  8  t = = 2x2 – 10
x y y 2
u u
For extreme values of u, = 0, =0
x y
8y
2xy2 – 10x – 8y = 0  x = 2
2 y  10
2x2 y – 8x – 10y = 0
2
 8y   8y 
 2 2  y 8 2  10 y  0
 2 y  10   2 y  10 

128 y 2 64 16 y 2 16
   10  0, y = 0 then x = 0   50
2
(2 y  10) 2 2
2 y  10 ( y 2  5) 2 y2  5
 16 y – 16 (y2 – 5) – 5 (y2 – 5)2 = 0
2

 16 y2 – 16 y2 + 80 – 5 (y2 – 5)2 = 0
 (y2 – 5)2 = 16  y2 – 5 = ± 4  y2 = 9 and 1 and  y = ± 3, ± 1
4y
Now, x = y2  5
If y = 1 then x = – 1; If y = – l then x = 1
If y = 3 then x = 3; If y = – 3 then x = – 3
Stationary pairs (0, 0) (1, – 1) (– 1, 1) (3, 3) (– 3, – 3)
r = 2 y2 – 10 – 10 –8 –8 8 8
s=4xy–8 –8 – 12 – 12 28 28
t = 2 x2 – 10 – 10 –8 –8 8 8
rt – s2 + 36 – 80 – 80 – 720 – 720
80 Partial Differentiation
At (0, 0), r is – ve.
Origin (0, 0) is the only point at which r t – s2 > 0.
Hence, the function u is maximum at origin. Ans.
Example 92. A rectangular box, open at the top, is to have a volume of 32 c.c. Find the
dimensions of the box requiring least material for its construction.
(M.U. 2009; U.P. I semester Jan. 2011; Dec. 2005, A.M.I.E Summer 2001)
Solution. Let l, b and h be the length, breadth, and height of the box respectively and S its
surface area and V the volume.
V = 32 c.c.
32
 l b h = 32  b =
lh
S = 2 (l + b) h + l b ...(1)
Putting the value of b in (1), we get
 32   32 
S = 2 l  h  l  
 lh lh
64 32
S = 2lh+  ...(2)
l h
Differentiating (2) partially w.r.t. l, we get
S 64
= 2h– 2 ...(3)
l l
Differentiating (2) partially w.r.t. h, we get
S 32
= 2l– 2 ...(4)
h h
For maximum and minimum S, we get
S 64 32
l = 0  2 h – l2 = 0  h=
l2
...(5)
S 32 16
h = 0  2 l – =0  l= ...(6)
h2 h2
From (5) and (6), l = 4, h = 2 and b = 4
2 S 128 128
2 =  =2
l l3 64
2 S
= 2
l h
2 S 64 64
2 = 3  8
h h 8
2
2 S 2 S  2 S 
.   = (2) (8) – (2)2 = + 12
 l 2  h2   l  h 
2 S
= + 2, so S is minimum for l = 4, b = 4, h = 2 Ans.
l2
EXERCISE 1.18
Find the stationary points of the following functions
2 4
1. f (x, y) = y2 + 4 xy + 3 x2 + x3 Ans.  ,   , Minimum
3 3
82 Lagrange ‘s Multiplier Method Partial Differentiation
On solving (1), (4), (5), (6), we can find the values of x, y, z and  for which
f (x, y, z) has stationary value.
Draw Back in Lagrange method is that the nature of stationary point cannot be determined.
Example 93. Find the point upon the plane ax + by + cz = p at which the function
f = x2 + y2 + z2 (Nagpur University, Winter 2000)
has a minimum value and find this minimum f.
Solution. We have, f = x2 + y2 + z2 ...(1)
ax + by + cz = p   = ax + by + cz – p ...(2)
f   a
 = 0  2x +  a = 0  x =
x x 2
f   b
 2y +  b = 0 y =
y y = 0  
2
f   c
 = 0  2z+c=0  z =
z z 2
Substituting the values of x, y, z in (2), we get
  a    b    c 
a b   c  = p
 2   2   2 
2 p
 (a2 + b2 + c2) = – 2p  =
a  b2  c 2
2

ap bp cp
 x = 2 2 2
, y 2 2 2
, z
a b c a b  c a  b2  c 2
2

a2 p2 b2 p 2 c2 p2
The minimum value of f =  
( a 2  b 2  c 2 )2 (a 2  b 2  c 2 )2 (a 2  b 2  c 2 )2
p 2 ( a 2  b2  c 2 ) p2
=  Ans.
(a 2  b2  c 2 ) 2 a 2  b2  c 2
Example 94. Find the maximum value of u = xp yq zr when the variables x, y, z are subject
to the condition ax + by + cz = p + q + r.
Solution. Here, we have u = xp yq zr ...(1)
If log u = p log x + q log y + r log z ...(2)
1 u p  u pu
=  
u x x x x
1 u q  u qu
=  
uy y y y
1 u r  u ru
=  
u z z z z
ax + by + cz = p + q + r
 (x, y, z) = ax + by + cz – p – q – r
  
x = a, y = b, =c
z
Partial Differentiation 83

Lagranges equations are

u  pu pu
  a = 0 x = 
x x = 0  x

a
u  qu qu
  b = 0 y = 
y y = 0  y 
b
u  ru ru
 = 0   c = 0  z = 
z z z c
Putting in (2), we have
pu qu ru
   = p+q+r
  
u u
 ( p  q  r) = p + q + r   = 1  =–u
 
pu  pu p
x =   
 a ua a
qu qu q
y =   
 b ub b
ru  ru r
z =   
 c uc c
Putting in (1), we have
p q r
 p q r
Maximum value of u =       Ans.
 a  b c
Example 95. Show that the rectangular solid of maximum volume that can be inscribed in
a sphere is a cube.
Solution. Let 2x, 2y, 2z be the length, breadth and height of the rectangular solid.
Let R be the radius of the sphere.
Volume of solid V = 8 x . y . z ...(1)
2 2 2 2
x + y +z = R ....(2)
z
2 2 2 2
  (x, y, z) = x + y + z – R = 0
V  y y
+ 
x x = 0  8yz +  (2x) = 0 ...(3)
z
V  O y
 = 0  8x z +  (2 y) = 0 ...(4)
y y R

V 
 = 0  8xy +  (2 z) = 0 ...(5) x
z z
From (3) 2x = – 8y z  2  x2 = – 8x y z
From (4) 2y = – 8x z  2  y2 = – 8x y z
From (5) 2z = – 8x y  2  z2 = – 8 x y z
2  x2 = 2  y2 = 2  z2
 x2 = y2 = z2
 x = y= z
Hence, rectangular solid is a cube. Proved.
84 Partial Differentiation
Example 96. A rectangular box, which is open at the top, has a capacity of 256 cubic feet.
Determine the dimensions of the box such that the least material is required for the construction
of the box. Use Lagrange’s method of multipliers to obtain the solution.
Solution. Let x, y, z be the length, breadth and height of the box.
 Volume = xyz = 256  xyz – 256 = 0 ...(1)
  (x, y, z) = x y z – 256
Let S be the material surface of the box.
x
S = xy+2yz+2zx y
S 
x = y + 2z and x = y z z
S 
= x + 2z and = xz
y y
S 
= 2y + 2x and = xy
z z
By Lagrange’s method of multiplier, we have
S 
 = 0  y + 2z +  yz = 0 ...(2)
x x
S 
 = 0  x + 2z +  xz = 0 ...(3)
y y
S 
 = 0  2y + 2x +  xy = 0 ...(4)
z z
Multiplying (2) by x, we get
xy + 2 xz +  xyz = 0
 xy + 2 xz + 256  = 0 (xyz = 256)
 xy + 2 xz = – 256  ...(5)
Multiplying (3) by y, we get
xy + 2 yz +  xyz = 0
 xy + 2 yz + 256  = 0
 xy + 2 yz = – 256  ...(6)
Multiplying (4) by z, we get
2 yz + 2 xz +  xyz = 0  2 yz + 2 xz + 256  = 0
 2 yz + 2 zx = – 256  ...(7)
From (5) and (6), we have
xy + 2 xz = xy + 2 yz  2 xz = 2 yz  x = y
From (6) and (7), we have
xy + 2 yz = 2 yz + 2 xz  xy = 2 xz  y = 2z
From (1) xyz = 256
 y
 (y) (y)   = 256  y3 = 512  y=8
2
x = 8, y = 8, z = 4
Hence, length = breadth = 8, height = 4. Ans.
Partial Differentiation 85

Example 97. Use the method of the Lagrange’s multipliers to find the volume of the largest
x2 y 2 z2
rectangular parallelopiped that can be inscribed in the ellipsoid 2  2  2  1 .
a b c
(Nagpur Univesity, Summer 2008, Winter 2003)
(A.M.I.E.T.E., Summer 2004, U.P., I Semester, Winter 2002, 2000)
x2 y 2 z2
Solution. Here, we have   = 1
a 2 b2 c 2
x2 y 2 z2
  (x, y, z) = 2  2  2  1  0 ...(1)
a b c
Let 2x, 2y, 2z be the length, breadth and height of the rectangular parallelopiped inscribed in
the ellipsoid.
V = (2x) (2y) (2z) = 8 xyz
V V V
= 8 yz;  8 xz,  8 xy
x y z
 2x  2 y  2 z
= a2 , 
y b 2
, 
z c 2
x
Lagrange’s equations are
V  2x
 = 0  8 yz +  = 0 ...(1)
x x a2
V  2y
 = 0  8 xz +  2 = 0 ...(2)
y y b
V  2z
 = 0  8 xy +  2 = 0 ...(3)
z z c
Multiplying (1), (2) and (3) by x, y, z respectively and adding, we get
 x2 y 2 z 2   x2 y 2 z2 
24 xyz  2  2  2  2  = 0  2  2   1
a b c  a b c2 
 24 xyz + 2  (1) = 0   = – 12 xyz
Putting the value of  in (1), we get
2x 3x 2 a
8 yz + (– 12 xyz) 2 = 0  1– 2 =0  x=
a a 3
Similarly from (2) and (3), we have
b c
y = , z
3 3
Volume of the largest rectangular parallelopiped = 8 xyz
 a  b   c  8 abc
= 8    Ans.
 3  3   3  3 3
Example 98. The shape of a hole pored by a drill is a cone surmounted by cylinder. If the
cylinder be of height h and radius r and the semi-vertical angle of the cone be , where
h
tan   show that for a total height H of the hole, the volume removed is maximum if
r
h = H ( 7  1) / 6. (R.G.P.V., Bhopal I sem. 2003)
88 Partial Differentiation

5
Substituting  a = – 2 and a = h in (1) and simplifying, we get
2
5h 2 5h2  8h 
8b  4  h2   2 8 b   = 0
4 5h 2
 3
 h2
4
10 h 16 h h
 8 b + 6h + – 16 b – =0  – 8b + 4h = 0  b= .
3 3 2
5 h
Thus, when a = h and b = we get the stationary value of S. Ans.
2 2
Example 100. Find the maximum and minimum distances of the point (3, 4, 12) from the
sphere x2 + y2 + z2 = 1.
Solution. Let the co-ordinates of the given point be (x, y, z), then its distance (D) from
(3, 4, 12).
D = ( x  3)2  ( y  4)2  ( z  12)2
 F (x, y, z) = (x – 3)2 + (y – 4)2 + (z – 12)2
x2 + y2 + z2 = 1
 (x, y, z) = x2 + y2 + z2 – 1
F 
 = 2 (x – 3) + 2  x = 0 ...(1)
x x
F 
 = 2 (y – 4) + 2  y = 0 ...(2)
y y
F 
 = 2 (z – 12) + 2  z = 0 ...(3)
z z
Multiplying (1) by x, (2) by y and (3) by z and adding, we get
(x2 + y2 + z2) – 3x – 4y – 12z +  (x2 + y2 + z2) = 0
1 – 3x – 4y – 12 z +  = 0 ...(4)
3
From (1) x = ...(5)
1 
4
From (2) y = ...(6)
1 
12
From (3) z = ...(7)
1 
Putting these values of x, y, z in (4),we have
9 16 144 2
1      0  (1 + ) = 169  1 +  = ± 13
1  1  1 
Putting the value of 1 +  in (5), (6) and (7) we have the points
 3 4 12    3  4  12 
 , ,  and  , , .
 13 13 13   13 13 13 
2 2 2
 3  4  12 
The minimum distance =  3     4    12   = 12
 13   13   13 
2 2 2
 3  4  12 
The maximum distance =  3     4    12   = 14 Ans.
 13   13   13 
Partial Differentiation 89

Example 101. If u = ax2 + by2 + cz2 where x2 + y2 + z2 = 1 and lx + my + nz = 0 prove

that stationary values of ‘u’ satisfy the equation

l2 m2 n2
  = 0
au bu cu
Solution. We have, u = ax2 + by2 + cz2 ...(1)
Let  = x2 + y2 + z2 – 1 ...(2)
 = lx + my + nz ...(3)
u u u
x = 2 a x,  y = 2 b y, z = 2 c z
  
x = 2 x,  y = 2 y, z = 2 z
  
x = l,  y = m, z = n
By Lagrange’s method
u  
 1  2 = 0, 2 a x + 2 x l + 2 l = 0 ...(4)
x x x
u  
 1  2 = 0, 2 b y + 2 y l + 2 m = 0 ...(5)
y y y
u  
 1  2 = 0, 2 c z + 2 z l + 2 n = 0 ...(6)
z z z
Multiplying (4), (5) and (6) by x, y and z respectively and adding, we get
(2 ax2 + 2 by2 + 2 cz2) + (2 x2 + 2 y2 + 2 z2) 1 + (lx + my + nz) 2 = 0
2u + 21 = 0, 1 = – u
Putting the value of 1 in (4), (5) and (6), we get
  2l
2 a x – 2 x u + 2 l = 0, x=
2 a  u 
 2 m
2 b y – 2 y u + 2 m = 0, y=
2 b  u 
 2 n
2 c z – 2 z u + 2 n = 0, z=
2(c  u )
Putting the values of x, y, z in (3), we get
 2 l 2  2 m2   2 n2 l2 m2 n2
  =0    = 0 Proved.
2  a  u  2 b  u  2 c  u  au bu cu
EXERCISE 1.19
m m . nn . a m  n
1. Show that the greatest value of xm yn where x and y are positive and x + y = a is ,
( m  n) m  n
where a is constant.
2. Using Lagrange’s method (of multipliers), find the critical (stationary values) of the function
f (x, y, z) = x2 + y2 + z2, given that z2 = xy + 1. Ans. (0, 0, – 1), (0, 0, 1).