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Questions › UoH › UoH 2015 › Q25
1 mark, −0.33Mathematics › Multivariable calculus › Implicit functions, level curves and second-order conditionsHardabout 3 min

UoH 2015 Question 25: Multivariable calculus

Let z=f(x1,x2)z = f(x_1, x_2)z=f(x1​,x2​). Let fif_ifi​ be first order partial derivative of f(.,.)f(.,.)f(.,.) w.r.t. xix_ixi​ and fijf_{ij}fij​ be second order partial derivative of f(.,.)f(.,.)f(.,.) w.r.t. xix_ixi​ and xjx_jxj​. Suppose f1=0=f2f_1 = 0 = f_2f1​=0=f2​ at some point (x1,x2)=(a,b)(x_1, x_2) = (a,b)(x1​,x2​)=(a,b) and further let f11⋅f22>f122f_{11} \cdot f_{22} > f_{12}^2f11​⋅f22​>f122​ at (a,b)(a,b)(a,b). Consider the statements: (I) The function attains its maximum if f11<0f_{11} < 0f11​<0 at (a,b)(a,b)(a,b). (II) The function attains its minimum if f22>0f_{22} > 0f22​>0 at (a,b)(a,b)(a,b).

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Let z = f(x₁, x₂). Let fᵢ be first order partial derivative of f(.,.) w.r.t. xᵢ and fᵢⱼ be second order partial derivative of f(.,.) w.r.t. xᵢ and xⱼ. Suppose f₁ = 0 = f₂ at some point (x₁, x₂) = (a,b) and further let f₁₁ · f₂₂ > f₁₂² at (a,b). Consider the statements: (I) The function attains its maximum if f₁₁ < 0 at (a,b). (II) The function attains its minimum if f₂₂ > 0 at (a,b). (A) Only (I) is correct. (B) Only (II) is correct. (C) both (I) and (II) are correct. (D) Neither (I) nor (II) is correct.

Also written as: Let z = f(x_1, x_2). Let f_i be first order partial derivative of f(.,.) w.r.t. x_i and f_(ij) be second order partial derivative of f(.,.) w.r.t. x_i and x_j. Suppose f_1 = 0 = f_2 at some point (x_1, x_2) = (a,b) and further let f_(11) * f_(22) > f_(12)^2 at (a,b). Consider the statements: (I) The function attains its maximum if f_(11) < 0 at (a,b). (II) The function attains its minimum if f_(22) > 0 at (a,b).

Multivariable calculus has come up 32 times in 7 exams since 2007.

What this question tests

This question is on Implicit functions, level curves and second-order conditions, part of Multivariable calculus in Mathematics.

Slopes of level curves and implicit functions, and conditions for optima in two variables.

TestStop has 8 past-paper questions on this subtopic.

Practise Multivariable calculusMore on Implicit functions, level curves and second-order conditions

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