Unit – III

Functions of Several variables

Mean value theorems – Rolles, Lagranges and Cauchy mean value theorems (without proofs)
– Taylor’s and Maclaurin’s series expansion – Partial Differentiation – Jacobian – Maxima
and minima – Lagrange’s method of multipliers

Rolle’s Theorem

If a function f (x) is continuous on the closed interval

[a, b], differentiable on the open interval (a, b) and
f (a) = f (b), then there exists at least one point c in the
open interval (a, b) for which f ′ (c) = 0.

Geometric interpretation

There is a point c on the interval (a, b) where the

tangent to the graph of the function is horizontal.

All 3 conditions of Rolle’s Theorem are necessary for the theorem to be true:

f (x) is continuous on the closed interval [a,b];

f (x)is differentiable on the open interval (a,b);
f (a) = f (b) .

Example:
Let f(x) = x2 + 2x. Find all values of c in the interval [−2, 0] such that f′(c) = 0.
Solution:
First of all, we need to check that the function f(x) satisfies all the conditions of Rolle’s
Theorem.
1. f(x) is continuous in [−2,0] as a quadratic function;
2. It is differentiable everywhere over the open interval (−2, 0);
3. Finally,
f(−2) = (−2)2 + 2⋅(−2) = 0 and f(0) = 02+2⋅0 = 0 ⇒ f(−2) = f(0).
So we can use Rolle’s Theorem.
To find the point c we calculate the derivative
f′(x) = (x2+2x)′ = 2x + 2
and solve the equation f ′(c) = 0:
f ′(c) = 2c + 2 = 0 ⇒ c = −1.
Thus, f ′(c) = 0 for c = −1.
 The Lagrange’s Mean Value Theorem (LMVT)
Lagrange’s mean value theorem states that if a function f (x) is continuous on a
closed interval [a, b] and differentiable on the open interval (a, b), then there is at
𝒇(𝒃) 𝒇(𝒂)
least one point x = c on this interval, such that 𝒇′ (𝒄) =
𝒃 𝒂

Geometric interpretation
Lagrange’s mean value theorem has a simple geometrical
meaning. The chord passing through the points of the graph
corresponding to the ends of the segment a and b has the slope
equal to
𝑓(𝑏) − 𝑓(𝑎)
𝑘 = tan 𝛼 =
𝑏−𝑎
Then there is a point x = c inside the interval [a, b], where the
tangent to the graph is parallel to the chord.

The mean value theorem has also a clear physical interpretation. If we assume that f (t)
represents the position of a body moving along a line, depending on the time t, then the ratio of
𝒇(𝒃) 𝒇(𝒂)
is the average velocity of the body in the period of time b − a. Since f ′ (t) is the
𝒃 𝒂
instantaneous velocity, this theorem means that there exists a moment of time c, in which the
instantaneous speed is equal to the average speed.

Example:

Check the validity of Lagrange’s mean value theorem for the function f(x) = x2−3x+5 on the
interval [1, 4]. If the theorem holds, find a point c satisfying the conditions of the theorem.

Solution:
The given quadratic function is continuous and differentiable on the entire set of real
numbers. Hence, we can apply Lagrange’s mean value theorem. The derivative of the
function has the form
f ′(x) = (x2−3x+5)′ = 2x−3.
Find the coordinates of the point c:
f ′(c) = f(b) − f(a) /b−a ⇒ 2c − 3 = (42−3⋅4+5) − (12−3⋅1+5) / 4−1,
⇒ 2c−3 = 9−3/3 = 2 ⇒ 2c = 5 ⇒ c = 2.5.
You can see that the point c=2.5 lies in the interval (1,4).
Cauchy’s Mean Value Theorem
Cauchy’s Mean Value Theorem generalizes Lagrange’s Mean Value Theorem. This theorem
is also called the Extended or Second Mean Value Theorem. It establishes the relationship
between the derivatives of two functions and changes in these functions on a finite interval.

Statement:
Let the functions f(x) and g (x) be continuous on an interval [a, b], differentiable on
(a, b), and g′ (x) ≠ 0 for all x ∈ (a, b). Then there is a point x = c in this interval such that
𝒇(𝒃) 𝒇(𝒂) 𝒇′ (𝒄)
=
𝒈(𝒃) 𝒈(𝒂) 𝒈′ (𝒄)

Geometric interpretation
Cauchy’s mean value theorem has the following
geometric meaning. Suppose that a curve γ is described
by the parametric equations x = f (t), y = g (t) , where the
parameter ‘t’ ranges in the interval [a, b] . When
changing the parameter t, the point of the curve in figure
runs from A (f (a), g (a)) to B (f (b), g (b)). According to
the theorem, there is a point (f (c), g (c)) on the curve γ
where the tangent is parallel to the chord joining the
ends A and B of the curve.

Example:
Verify Cauchy’s mean value theorem for the functions f(x) = x4 and g(x) = x2 on the
interval [1, 2].

Solution:
The derivatives of these functions are 𝑓(𝑥 ) = 𝑥 ⇒ 𝑓 ′ (𝑥) = 4𝑥 , 𝑔(𝑥) = 𝑥 ⇒ 𝑔′ (𝑥 ) = 2𝑥
Substituting the functions and their derivatives in the Cauchy’s formula, we get
𝒇(𝒃) − 𝒇(𝒂) 𝒇′ (𝒄) 𝒃𝟒 − 𝒂 𝟒 𝟒𝒄𝟑 (𝒃𝟐 − 𝒂𝟐 )(𝒃𝟐 + 𝒂𝟐 )
= ′ ⇒ = ⇒ = 𝟐𝐜 𝟐
𝒈(𝒃) − 𝒈(𝒂) 𝒈 (𝒄) 𝒃𝟐 − 𝒂 𝟐 𝟐𝒄 𝒃𝟐 − 𝒂𝟐

𝐚 𝟐 + 𝐛𝟐 𝐚𝟐 + 𝐛 𝟐
⇒ 𝐜𝟐 = ⇒ 𝐜 = ±
𝟐 𝟐
We take into account that the boundaries of the segment are a = 1 and b = 2.
𝟏 𝟐 𝟐𝟐 𝟓
Consequently, 𝐜 = ± = ± = ± 𝟏. 𝟓𝟖
𝟐 𝟐

In this case, the positive value of the square root c = 1.58 is relevant. It is evident that this
number lies in the interval (1, 2), i.e. satisfies the Cauchy theorem.
Taylor’s Theorem
Taylor’s theorem plays an important role in differentiation. The value of a function and its
successive derivatives at a point help us in finding the value of the function in the
neighbourhood of that point using Taylor’s theorem. i.e. Taylor’s theorem provides expansion
of f(a+h) in ascending powers of ‘h’ and the derivatives of ‘f’ and ‘a’.

If ‘f’ is a function such that

(a) 𝑓 ( )
is continuous on [a, b]
(b) 𝑓 ( )
is derivable on (a, b) or 𝑓 ( )
exists on (a, b), then
(𝒙 𝒂)𝟐 (𝒙 𝒂)𝒏
𝒇(𝒙) = 𝒇(𝒂) + (𝒙 − 𝒂)𝒇 (𝒂) + 𝒇 (𝒂) + … + 𝒇𝒏 (𝒂) + … .
𝟐! 𝒏!

which is also called as the expansion of f(x) in powers of (x - a).

Maclaurin’s Series Expansion

Putting a = 0 in the Taylor’s series expansion, we get
𝒙𝟐 𝒙𝒏
𝒇(𝒙) = 𝒇(𝟎) + 𝒙 𝒇′ (𝟎) + 𝒇′′ (𝟎) + … + 𝒇𝒏 (𝟎) + … .
𝟐! 𝒏!

which is known as Maclaurin’s Series expansion of f(x).

The Maclaurin’s series expansion of f(x) is just the Taylor’s series expansion of f(x)
about x = 0
Rolle’s Theorem:
1. Verify Rolle’s mean value theorem 𝑓 (𝑥) = 2𝑥 − 5𝑥 + 2𝑥 + 1 in the interval [-1, 1]

2. Verify Rolle’s mean value theorem 𝑓 (𝑥) = 2 𝑥 + 𝑥 − 4𝑥 − 2 in −√2, √2

3. Verify Rolle’s mean value theorem𝑓(𝑥) = (𝑥 + 2) (𝑥 − 3) in [-2, 3]

∕ ∕
4. Verify Rolle’s mean value theorem 𝑓 (𝑥) = 𝑥 − 2𝑥 in [0, 8]

5. Verify Rolle’s mean value theorem𝑓(𝑥 ) = 𝑥 (𝑥 + 3)𝑒 in [-3, 0]

6. Verify Rolle’s mean value theorem 𝑓 (𝑥) = 2 𝑥 + 𝑥 − 4𝑥 − 2 in −√3, √3

7. Verify Rolle’s mean value theorem 𝑓 (𝑥) = in [−2, 3]

8. Verify Rolle’s mean value theorem𝑓(𝑥) = 𝑙𝑛 in [a, b]

( )

9. Verify Rolle’s mean value theorem𝑦 = 𝑒 (𝑠𝑖𝑛 𝑥 − 𝑐𝑜𝑠 𝑥 ) in ,

Lagrange’s Mean Value Theorem:
1. Verify Lagrange’s mean value theorem𝑓 (𝑥 ) = 𝑙𝑛 𝑥 𝑖𝑛[1, 𝑒]

2. Verify Lagrange’s mean value theorem𝑓 (𝑥 ) = 𝑥 + 2𝑥 − 1 in [0, 1]

3. Verify Lagrange’s mean value theorem𝑓(𝑥) = 𝑥 𝑖𝑛[0, 1]

4. Verify Lagrange’s mean value theorem𝑓 (𝑥 ) = 𝑥 + in [1/2, 2]

5. Verify Lagrange’s mean value theorem𝑓 (𝑥 ) = √𝑥 − 1 in [1, 3]

6. Verify Lagrange’s mean value theorem𝑓 (𝑥 ) = 𝑠𝑖𝑛 (𝑥 ) in [-1, 1]

7. Verify Lagrange’s mean value theorem𝑓 (𝑥 ) = 𝑙𝑛(𝑥 − 1) in [2, 4]

8. Verify Lagrange’s mean value theorem𝑓 (𝑥 ) = 𝑥 − 𝑥 − 5𝑥 + 3 in [0, 4]

9. Verify Lagrange’s mean value theorem𝑓 (𝑥 ) = 𝑐𝑜𝑠 𝑥 in 0,

10. Verify Lagrange’s mean value theorem𝑓 (𝑥 ) = (𝑥 − 1)(𝑥 − 2)(𝑥 − 3) in [0, 4]

11. Verify Lagrange’s mean value theorem𝑓 (𝑥 ) = 𝑒 in [0, 1]

Cauchy’s Mean Value Theorem:

1. Verify Cauchy’s mean value theorem: 𝑓 (𝑥) = 𝑥 𝑎𝑛𝑑 𝑔(𝑥 ) = 𝑥 in [1, 2]

2. 𝑓(𝑥) = 𝑠𝑖𝑛 𝑥 𝑎𝑛𝑑 𝑔(𝑥) = 𝑐𝑜𝑠 𝑥 in 0,

3. 𝑓(𝑥) = √𝑥 𝑎𝑛𝑑 𝑔(𝑥) = in [a, b]

√

4. 𝑓(𝑥) 𝑎𝑛𝑑 𝑓 ′ (𝑥) in [1, e] given that 𝑓(𝑥) = 𝑙𝑛 𝑥

5. 𝑓(𝑥) = 𝑒 , 𝑔(𝑥) = 𝑒 in [a, b]

Taylor’ series Expansion:

1. Obtain the Taylor’s series expansion of 𝑠𝑖𝑛 𝑥 in powers of 𝑥 − .

2. Find the Taylor’s series expansion of √𝑥 about x=1.

3. Find the Taylor’s series expansion of 𝑒 about x=-1.

Maclaurin’s series Expansion:

1. Find the Maclaurin’s series expansion of 𝑙𝑛(1 + 𝑥).

2. Show that 𝑙𝑛(1 + 𝑒 ) = 𝑙𝑛2 + + − +. .. and hence show that = + − +. ..

3. Find the Maclaurin’s series expansion of sinh 𝑥

FUNCTIONS OF SEVERAL VARIABLES
We know that y = f(x) is a function of a single variable ‘x’, where x is the independent
variable and y is the dependent variable. If there are two or more independent variables in a
function then we say that f(x) is a function of several variables.
Examples:
 Area of triangle = ½ × b × h is a function of two variables ‘b’ and ‘h’ which are
independent and area is dependent variable.
 Area of a room which is rectangle A = l × b where ‘l’ is the length and ‘b’ is the breadth
of the room. Thus A is a function of two variables.
 Volume of a rectangular Parallelopiped is V = l × b × h.
Here, l = length, b = breadth, h = height of Parallelopiped.
Hence Volume is a function of 3 variables.
 Also for the relation 𝑍 = 1 − (𝑥 + 𝑦 ), z is a function of two variables x and y. Z
determines a value corresponding to every pair of numbers x and y such that 𝑥 + 𝑦 ≤ 1
Denoting every pair of numbers x, y as a point, we see that all points (x, y) with 𝑥 +
𝑦 ≤ 1 and lie within or on a circle of radius ‘1’ having centre at the origin.
Hence Z is a function of two variables or Z = f(x, y) whose domain is the set
𝐷 = {(𝑥, 𝑦)|𝑥 + 𝑦 ≤ 1}

 The Charle’s law for a given quantity of a gas is = 𝐶 where C is a

constant.
P = pressure, V = Volume and T = Absolute temperature

Hence 𝑃 =

So, the pressure varies with two other variables volume and temperature.
Hence, if the three variables u, x, y are so related that u is determined when x
and y are known, u is said to be a function of two independent variables x
and y and this is denoted by u = f(x, y)

In a similar way, if u is a function of three or more variables 𝑥 , 𝑥 , … 𝑥 ,

then u can be symbolically denoted as 𝑢 = 𝑓(𝑥 , 𝑥 , … 𝑥 ).
PARTIAL DIFFERENTIATION:
Let 𝑧 = 𝑓(𝑥, 𝑦) be a function of two variables x and y.
If we keep y as constant and vary x alone, then z is a function of x only. The derivative
of z with respect to x, treating y as constant, is called the partial derivative of z with
respect to x and is denoted by one of the symbols , , 𝑓 (𝑥, 𝑦), 𝐷 𝑓 .
Similarly, derivative of z with respect to y, keeping x as constant, is called the
partial derivative of z with respect to y and is denoted by one of the symbols , ,
𝑓 (𝑥, 𝑦 ), 𝐷 𝑓 .
Similarly, if z is a function of three or more variables 𝑥 , 𝑥 , 𝑥 , … … the partial
derivative of z with respect to 𝑥 , is obtained by differentiating z with respect to 𝑥 ,
keeping all other variables constant and is written as .
In general 𝑓 𝑎𝑛𝑑 𝑓 are also functions of x and y and so these can be differentiated
further partially with respect to x and y.
Thus, = or or 𝑓 , = or or 𝑓

= or or 𝑓 and = or or 𝑓

It can be easily be verified that, =

The Chain Rule of Partial Differentiation
If 𝑧 = 𝑓(𝑥, 𝑦) where 𝑥 = 𝜙(𝑡) and 𝑦 = 𝜓(𝑡), then z is called a composite function
of a variable ‘t’.
If 𝑧 = 𝑓(𝑥, 𝑦) where 𝑥 = 𝜙(𝑢, 𝑣) and 𝑦 = 𝜓(𝑢, 𝑣) then z is called a composite
function of two variables u and v.
If 𝑧 = 𝑓(𝑢, 𝑣) where 𝑢 = 𝜙(𝑥, 𝑦) and 𝑣 = 𝜓(𝑥, 𝑦),
𝝏𝒛 𝝏𝒛 𝝏𝒖 𝝏𝒛 𝝏𝒗 𝝏𝒛 𝝏𝒛 𝝏𝒖 𝝏𝒛 𝝏𝒗
then = + and = +
𝝏𝒙 𝝏𝒖 𝝏𝒙 𝝏𝒗 𝝏𝒙 𝝏𝒚 𝝏𝒖 𝝏𝒚 𝝏𝒗 𝝏𝒚
These rules are known as the Chain rule of Partial Differentiation.

Total Differential Coefficient

Let 𝑧 = 𝑓(𝑥, 𝑦) where 𝑥 = 𝜙(𝑡) and 𝑦 = 𝜓(𝑡).
Substituting x and y in 𝑧 = 𝑓(𝑥, 𝑦), z becomes a function of a single variable ‘t’.
Then the derivative of z with respect to ‘t’ i.e. is called Total Differential
Coefficient (or) Total Derivative of z.
𝝏𝒛 𝒅𝒙 𝝏𝒛 𝒅𝒚
∴ =
𝝏𝒙 𝒅𝒕
+ 𝝏𝒚 𝒅𝒕
Partial Differentiation

1. Find the first and second order partial derivatives of 𝑥 + 𝑦 − 3𝑎𝑥𝑦 and
𝜕2 𝑓 𝜕2 𝑓
verify =
𝜕𝑥𝜕𝑦 𝜕𝑦𝜕𝑥
𝜕2 𝑢 𝜕2 𝑢
2. Verify that 𝜕𝑥𝜕𝑦
= 𝜕𝑦𝜕𝑥
where 𝑢 = 𝑙𝑛(𝑦 𝑠𝑖𝑛 𝑥 + 𝑥 𝑠𝑖𝑛 𝑦)

3. If 𝑢 = tan then prove that + =0

4. If 𝑓(𝑥, 𝑦) = 𝑙𝑛(𝑥 + 𝑦 ) + 𝑡𝑎𝑛 then prove that + =0

5. If 𝑢 = 𝑓(𝑦 − 𝑧, 𝑧 − 𝑥, 𝑥 − 𝑦) then prove that + + =0

6. If 𝑢 = 𝑓(𝑟, 𝑠, 𝑡) , where 𝑟 = , 𝑠 = 𝑎𝑛𝑑 𝑡 = then show that

𝑥 +𝑦 +𝑧 =0

JACOBIANS:

If u, v are functions of two independent variables x and y then is called

( , ) ( , )
Jacobian of u, v with respect to x, y and it is denoted by
( , )
𝑜𝑟 𝐽
( , )
.

( , ) 𝑢 𝑢
i.e. ( , )
= = 𝑣 𝑣

The Jacobian of u, v, w with respect to x, y, z is

𝜕𝑢 𝜕𝑢 𝜕𝑢
𝜕𝑥 𝜕𝑦 𝜕𝑧
(𝑢, 𝑣, 𝑤) 𝜕(𝑢, 𝑣, 𝑤) 𝜕𝑣 𝜕𝑣 𝜕𝑣
𝐽 = =
(𝑥, 𝑦, 𝑧) 𝜕(𝑥, 𝑦, 𝑧) 𝜕𝑥 𝜕𝑦 𝜕𝑧
𝜕𝑤 𝜕𝑤 𝜕𝑤
𝜕𝑥 𝜕𝑦 𝜕𝑧
FUNCTIONAL DEPENDENCE:
Let u (x, y) and v (x, y) be two functions of x and y, then the functions u and v are said to
be functionally dependent if they are functions of each other.
Suppose that u and v are functionally dependent. Then there exists a relation of the type
𝒇(𝒖, 𝒗) = 𝟎 … (1)
Differentiating the equation (1) partially with respect to x, we get
𝝏𝒇 𝝏𝒖 𝝏𝒇 𝝏𝒗
+ =𝟎 … (2)
𝝏𝒖 𝝏𝒙 𝝏𝒗 𝝏𝒙
Again differentiating the equation (1) partially with respect to y, we get
𝝏𝒇 𝝏𝒖 𝝏𝒇 𝝏𝒗
+ =𝟎 … (3)
𝝏𝒖 𝝏𝒚 𝝏𝒗 𝝏𝒚

Eliminating f from the equations (2) and (3), we obtain =0

𝜕(𝑢,𝑣)
⇒
𝜕(𝑥,𝑦)
=0
Hence, the functions u and v are functionally dependent if the Jacobian of u and v is
zero.

Note: If u, v, w are functions of x, y, z then u, v, w are functionally dependent

( , , )
provided =0
( , , )
Jacobian
( , ) ( , )
1. If 𝑥 = 𝑟 𝑐𝑜𝑠 𝜃, 𝑦 = 𝑟 𝑠𝑖𝑛 𝜃 then find ( , )
and ( , )
. Also show that
( , ) ( , )
( , )
. ( , )
=1

( , )
2. If 𝑢 = and 𝜃 = tan 𝑥 + tan 𝑦, then find ( , )
. Hence prove that u and θ
are functionally dependent. Also find the relation between them.
( , , )
3. If 𝑢 = 𝑥 − 2𝑦, 𝑣 = 𝑥 + 𝑦 + 𝑧. 𝑤 = 𝑥 − 2𝑦 + 3𝑧 then find ( , , )

4. If Show that the functions 𝑢 = 𝑥𝑦 + 𝑦𝑧 + 𝑧𝑥, 𝑣 = 𝑥 + 𝑦 + 𝑧 , 𝑤 = 𝑥 + 𝑦 + 𝑧 are

functionally related. Also find the relation between them.

5. Verify 𝑢 = 𝑥 + 𝑦 + 𝑧, 𝑣 = 𝑥 + 𝑦 + 𝑧 − 3𝑥𝑦𝑧, 𝑤 = 𝑥 + 𝑦 + 𝑧 − 𝑥𝑦 −
𝑦𝑧 − 𝑧𝑥 are functionally dependent. If so, find the relation between them.
 MAXIMA AND MINIMA OF FUNCTIONS OF TWO VARIABLES

Def: let 𝑓(𝑥, 𝑦) be a function of two variables x and y. At 𝑥 = 𝑎, 𝑦 = 𝑏, the function 𝑓(𝑥, 𝑦)
is said to have maximum or minimum value if 𝑓(𝑎, 𝑏) > 𝑓(𝑎 + ℎ, 𝑏 + 𝑘) or
𝑓(𝑎, 𝑏) < 𝑓(𝑎 + ℎ, 𝑏 + 𝑘) respectively where h and k are small values.

Extreme Values: 𝑓(𝑎, 𝑏) is said to be an extreme value of 𝑓(𝑥, 𝑦) if it is a maximum or

minimum value.

The necessary conditions for 𝑓(𝑥, 𝑦) to have a maximum or minimum at (a, b) are
= 0, = 0 at (a, b) or 𝑓 (𝑎, 𝑏) = 0, 𝑓 (𝑎, 𝑏) = 0

Sufficient Conditions: Suppose that 𝑓 (𝑎, 𝑏) = 0, 𝑓 (𝑎, 𝑏) = 0 and let

𝑓 (𝑎, 𝑏) = 𝑙, 𝑓 (𝑎, 𝑏) = 𝑚, 𝑓 (𝑎, 𝑏) = 𝑛. Then

1. 𝑓 (𝑎, 𝑏) is a maximum value if 𝑙𝑛 − 𝑚 > 0 𝑎𝑛𝑑 𝑙 < 0.

2. 𝑓(𝑎, 𝑏) is a minimum value if 𝑙𝑛 − 𝑚 > 0 𝑎𝑛𝑑 𝑙 > 0.
3. 𝑓(𝑎, 𝑏) is not an extreme value if 𝑙𝑛 − 𝑚 < 0.
4. If 𝑙𝑛 − 𝑚 = 0, then 𝑓(𝑥, 𝑦) fails to have maximum or minimum value and it needs
further investigation.

Stationary Value: 𝑓(𝑎, 𝑏) is said to be Stationary Value of 𝑓(𝑥, 𝑦) if = 0, = 0.

Thus every extreme value is a Stationary Value, but the converse may not be true.

Working Rule to find maximum or minimum values of 𝒇(𝒙, 𝒚)

1. Find and and equate them to zero. Solve = 0, = 0 to get the values of x

and y. Let (𝑎 , 𝑏 ), (𝑎 , 𝑏 ), … … be the pairs of values.

2. Find 𝑙 = , 𝑚= 𝑎𝑛𝑑 𝑛 = for each pair of values obtained in step 1.

3. a) If 𝑙𝑛 − 𝑚 > 0 𝑎𝑛𝑑 𝑙 < 0, then the function 𝑓(𝑥, 𝑦) has a maximum at x = a, y = b.

b) If 𝑙𝑛 − 𝑚 > 0 𝑎𝑛𝑑 𝑙 > 0, then the function 𝑓(𝑥, 𝑦) has a minimum at x = a, y = b.
c) If 𝑙𝑛 − 𝑚 < 0 at (𝑎 , 𝑏 ) , then 𝑓(𝑎 , 𝑏 ) is not an extreme value. i.e. there is
neither a maximum nor a minimum at (𝑎 , 𝑏 ). Here (𝑎 , 𝑏 ) is called ‘Saddle Point”.
d) If 𝑙𝑛 − 𝑚 = 0 at (𝑎 , 𝑏 ) , then no conclusion can be drawn about maximum or
minimum and needs further investigation

Similarly examine the other pairs of values (𝑎 , 𝑏 ), (𝑎 , 𝑏 ), … … one by one.

Maxima – Minima:

1. Find the maxima and minima of 𝑓(𝑥, 𝑦) = 𝑥 + 𝑦 + 6𝑥 + 12

2. Find the maxima and minima of 𝑓(𝑥, 𝑦) = 𝑥 + 3𝑥𝑦 − 3𝑥 − 3𝑦 + 4

3. Discuss the maxima and minima of 𝑓 (𝑥, 𝑦) = 𝑥 𝑦 (1 − 𝑥 − 𝑦)

4. Find the maxima and minima of 𝑓(𝑥, 𝑦) = 𝑥𝑦 + + ,𝑎 ≠ 0

5. Find the maxima and minima of 𝑓(𝑥, 𝑦) = 𝑥 𝑦 + 𝑥𝑦 − 𝑎𝑥𝑦, 𝑎 ≠ 0

6. Find the maxima and minima of 𝑓(𝑥, 𝑦) = 𝑠𝑖𝑛 𝑥 + 𝑠𝑖𝑛 𝑦 + 𝑠𝑖𝑛(𝑥 + 𝑦)

7. Find the minimum value of 𝑥 + 𝑦 + 𝑧 given that 𝑥𝑦𝑧 = 𝑎

8. Find the minimum value of 𝑥 + 𝑦 + 𝑧 given that 𝑥 + 𝑦 + 𝑧 = 3𝑎

9. A rectangular box open at the top is to have volume of 32 cubic ft. Find the dimensions of
the box requiring least material for its construction.

10. Find three positive numbers whose sum is 100 and whose product is maximum.

11. Divide 24 in to 3 parts such that the continued product of the first, square of the second
and cube of the third is maximum.
Lagrange’s method of undetermined Multipliers:

Sometimes it is required to find the stationary values of a function of several variables which
are not all independent but are connected by some given relations. In other words, we are
required to find the extremum of a function subject to some other conditions involving the
variables.

Such type of problems can be solved by the method of Lagrange’s undetermined multipliers.

Working Rule:

Suppose it is required to find the extremum for the function f(x, y, z)

subject to the condition 𝜙(𝑥, 𝑦, 𝑧) = 0 (1)

Step 1: Form the Lagrangean function

𝐹 (𝑥, 𝑦, 𝑧) = 𝑓 (𝑥, 𝑦, 𝑧) + 𝜆 𝜙(𝑥, 𝑦, 𝑧) where λ is called the Lagrange multiplier,

which is determined by the following conditions.

Step 2: Obtain the equations

= 0 𝑖. 𝑒. +𝜆 =0 (2)

= 0 𝑖. 𝑒. +𝜆 =0 (3)

= 0 𝑖. 𝑒. +𝜆 =0 (4)

Step 3: Solve the equations (1), (2), (3) and (4)

The values of x, y, z so obtained will give the stationary point of 𝑓(𝑥, 𝑦, 𝑧).

Lagrange’s method of undetermined Multipliers:

1. Find the minimum value of 𝑥 + 𝑦 + 𝑧 given that 𝑥𝑦𝑧 = 𝑎

2. Find the maximum and minimum values of x+y+z subject to + + = 1

3. Find the maximum of 𝑢 = 𝑥 𝑦 𝑧 if 2𝑥 + 3𝑦 + 4𝑧 = 𝑎