Maxima and Minima

Definition. Let R be any region on the xy-plane, a function f (x, y) attains its
absolute or global, maximum value M on R at the point (a, b) of R if
(i) f (x, y) M for all points (x, y) in R, and

(I.T. Leong)

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Maxima and Minima

Definition. Let R be any region on the xy-plane, a function f (x, y) attains its
absolute or global, maximum value M on R at the point (a, b) of R if
(i) f (x, y) M for all points (x, y) in R, and (ii) M = f (a, b).

(I.T. Leong)

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Maxima and Minima

Definition. Let R be any region on the xy-plane, a function f (x, y) attains its
absolute or global, maximum value M on R at the point (a, b) of R if
(i) f (x, y) M for all points (x, y) in R, and (ii) M = f (a, b).
Similarly, we can define the global minimum as well.

(I.T. Leong)

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Maxima and Minima

Definition. Let R be any region on the xy-plane, a function f (x, y) attains its
absolute or global, maximum value M on R at the point (a, b) of R if
(i) f (x, y) M for all points (x, y) in R, and (ii) M = f (a, b).
Similarly, we can define the global minimum as well.
Function f (x, y) attains the absolute or global, minimum value m on R of at the
point (a, b) of R if

(I.T. Leong)

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Maxima and Minima

Definition. Let R be any region on the xy-plane, a function f (x, y) attains its
absolute or global, maximum value M on R at the point (a, b) of R if
(i) f (x, y) M for all points (x, y) in R, and (ii) M = f (a, b).
Similarly, we can define the global minimum as well.
Function f (x, y) attains the absolute or global, minimum value m on R of at the
point (a, b) of R if (i) f (x, y) m for all points (x, y) in R, and

(I.T. Leong)

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Maxima and Minima

Definition. Let R be any region on the xy-plane, a function f (x, y) attains its
absolute or global, maximum value M on R at the point (a, b) of R if
(i) f (x, y) M for all points (x, y) in R, and (ii) M = f (a, b).
Similarly, we can define the global minimum as well.
Function f (x, y) attains the absolute or global, minimum value m on R of at the
point (a, b) of R if (i) f (x, y) m for all points (x, y) in R, and (ii) m = f (a, b).

(I.T. Leong)

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Maxima and Minima

Definition. Let R be any region on the xy-plane, a function f (x, y) attains its
absolute or global, maximum value M on R at the point (a, b) of R if
(i) f (x, y) M for all points (x, y) in R, and (ii) M = f (a, b).
Similarly, we can define the global minimum as well.
Function f (x, y) attains the absolute or global, minimum value m on R of at the
point (a, b) of R if (i) f (x, y) m for all points (x, y) in R, and (ii) m = f (a, b).
Example. The function f (x, y) = x + y attains a maximum value 2 and
minimum value 0 on the square R = { (x, y) 0 x 1, and 0 y 1 }.

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Maxima and Minima

Definition. Let R be any region on the xy-plane, a function f (x, y) attains its
absolute or global, maximum value M on R at the point (a, b) of R if
(i) f (x, y) M for all points (x, y) in R, and (ii) M = f (a, b).
Similarly, we can define the global minimum as well.
Function f (x, y) attains the absolute or global, minimum value m on R of at the
point (a, b) of R if (i) f (x, y) m for all points (x, y) in R, and (ii) m = f (a, b).
Example. The function f (x, y) = x + y attains a maximum value 2 and
minimum value 0 on the square R = { (x, y) 0 x 1, and 0 y 1 }.
Proof. For any point P(x, y) in R, one has 0 x 1 and 0 y 1, so it

follows that = 0 + 0 x + y 1 + 1 = 2. So 0 f (x, y) 2, which satisfies

the condition (i).
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Maxima and Minima

Definition. Let R be any region on the xy-plane, a function f (x, y) attains its
absolute or global, maximum value M on R at the point (a, b) of R if
(i) f (x, y) M for all points (x, y) in R, and (ii) M = f (a, b).
Similarly, we can define the global minimum as well.
Function f (x, y) attains the absolute or global, minimum value m on R of at the
point (a, b) of R if (i) f (x, y) m for all points (x, y) in R, and (ii) m = f (a, b).
Example. The function f (x, y) = x + y attains a maximum value 2 and
minimum value 0 on the square R = { (x, y) 0 x 1, and 0 y 1 }.
Proof. For any point P(x, y) in R, one has 0 x 1 and 0 y 1, so it

follows that = 0 + 0 x + y 1 + 1 = 2. So 0 f (x, y) 2, which satisfies

the condition (i). Moreover f (0, 0) = 0 + 0 = 0, and f (1, 1) = 1 + 1 = 2 such

that (0, 0) and (1, 1) are in R, in which the condition (ii) holds.
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Maxima and Minima

Definition. Let R be any region on the xy-plane, a function f (x, y) attains its
absolute or global, maximum value M on R at the point (a, b) of R if
(i) f (x, y) M for all points (x, y) in R, and (ii) M = f (a, b).
Similarly, we can define the global minimum as well.
Function f (x, y) attains the absolute or global, minimum value m on R of at the
point (a, b) of R if (i) f (x, y) m for all points (x, y) in R, and (ii) m = f (a, b).
Example. The function f (x, y) = x + y attains a maximum value 2 and
minimum value 0 on the square R = { (x, y) 0 x 1, and 0 y 1 }.
Proof. For any point P(x, y) in R, one has 0 x 1 and 0 y 1, so it

follows that = 0 + 0 x + y 1 + 1 = 2. So 0 f (x, y) 2, which satisfies

the condition (i). Moreover f (0, 0) = 0 + 0 = 0, and f (1, 1) = 1 + 1 = 2 such

that (0, 0) and (1, 1) are in R, in which the condition (ii) holds.
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Local Extreme Values

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Local Extreme Values

Definition. Let f (x) be a function defined in a domain D of Rn (n = 2, 3), and a
point x0 D.

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Local Extreme Values

Definition. Let f (x) be a function defined in a domain D of Rn (n = 2, 3), and a
point x0 D. Function f is said to attain its local maximum at x0 , if

(I.T. Leong)

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Local Extreme Values

Definition. Let f (x) be a function defined in a domain D of Rn (n = 2, 3), and a
point x0 D. Function f is said to attain its local maximum at x0 , if there exists
>0

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Local Extreme Values

Definition. Let f (x) be a function defined in a domain D of Rn (n = 2, 3), and a
point x0 D. Function f is said to attain its local maximum at x0 , if there exists
> 0 such that f (x0 ) f (x) for all x B(x0 , ) D.

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Local Extreme Values

Definition. Let f (x) be a function defined in a domain D of Rn (n = 2, 3), and a
point x0 D. Function f is said to attain its local maximum at x0 , if there exists
> 0 such that f (x0 ) f (x) for all x B(x0 , ) D.

Remarks.

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Local Extreme Values

Definition. Let f (x) be a function defined in a domain D of Rn (n = 2, 3), and a
point x0 D. Function f is said to attain its local maximum at x0 , if there exists
> 0 such that f (x0 ) f (x) for all x B(x0 , ) D.

Remarks. (i) In general, a function can have many local maxima, and can
have no local maxima in its domain.

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f minimaso
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Remarks.
of the
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new
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z
: new y = y,

Sm

z = fm (x, y)
new z = mx + z.
z

Local Extreme Values

z = f(x, 0)

z = fm (x, 0)

Sm
x
(I.T. Leong)

z = fm (x, 0)

fm (x, y)
z = fm (x, yz)= =
(x2 + y2 )2 + mx

xz-cross section
1

x
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Existence Theorem of Global Extremum

Theorem.

(I.T. Leong)

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Existence Theorem of Global Extremum

Theorem. A continuous function always attains its global maximum and global
minimum values, if

(I.T. Leong)

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Existence Theorem of Global Extremum

Theorem. A continuous function always attains its global maximum and global
minimum values, if its domain is closed and bounded.

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Existence Theorem of Global Extremum

Theorem. A continuous function always attains its global maximum and global
minimum values, if its domain is closed and bounded.
Remark. One can replace the condition on the domain by a simple but more
restrictive one,

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Existence Theorem of Global Extremum

Theorem. A continuous function always attains its global maximum and global
minimum values, if its domain is closed and bounded.
Remark. One can replace the condition on the domain by a simple but more
restrictive one, such as, the domain consists of the points on and within a
simple closed curve.

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Existence Theorem of Global Extremum

Theorem. A continuous function always attains its global maximum and global
minimum values, if its domain is closed and bounded.
Remark. One can replace the condition on the domain by a simple but more
restrictive one, such as, the domain consists of the points on and within a
simple closed curve.
Definition. A simple closed curve is a parameterized continuous curve r(t) for
t [a, b], such that (i) r(a) = r(b), and the vectors r(t) are different from each
other except when t = a and t = b.

Let D be consist of points on and within a simple and closed curve. One can
prove that

(I.T. Leong)

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Existence Theorem of Global Extremum

Theorem. A continuous function always attains its global maximum and global
minimum values, if its domain is closed and bounded.
Remark. One can replace the condition on the domain by a simple but more
restrictive one, such as, the domain consists of the points on and within a
simple closed curve.
Definition. A simple closed curve is a parameterized continuous curve r(t) for
t [a, b], such that (i) r(a) = r(b), and the vectors r(t) are different from each
other except when t = a and t = b.

Let D be consist of points on and within a simple and closed curve. One can
prove that (i) the points in D that are not on the curve are interior points; and
(i) those that are on the curve called boundary points.

(I.T. Leong)

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Necessary Conditions for Local Extremum

Theorem. Suppose that f (x, y) is a continuous on region D in plane. If

(I.T. Leong)

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Necessary Conditions for Local Extremum

Theorem. Suppose that f (x, y) is a continuous on region D in plane. If
(i) f (x, y) attains a local maximum value at an interior point (a, b) in D, and

(I.T. Leong)

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Necessary Conditions for Local Extremum

Theorem. Suppose that f (x, y) is a continuous on region D in plane. If
(i) f (x, y) attains a local maximum value at an interior point (a, b) in D, and
(ii) both the partial derivatives fx (a, b) and fy (a, b) exist,

(I.T. Leong)

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Necessary Conditions for Local Extremum

Theorem. Suppose that f (x, y) is a continuous on region D in plane. If
(i) f (x, y) attains a local maximum value at an interior point (a, b) in D, and
(ii) both the partial derivatives fx (a, b) and fy (a, b) exist,
Then fx (a, b) = fy (a, b) = 0.

(I.T. Leong)

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Necessary Conditions for Local Extremum

Theorem. Suppose that f (x, y) is a continuous on region D in plane. If
(i) f (x, y) attains a local maximum value at an interior point (a, b) in D, and
(ii) both the partial derivatives fx (a, b) and fy (a, b) exist,
Then fx (a, b) = fy (a, b) = 0.
The theorem gives only a necessary condition for existence of a local extreme
point provided that all the first order partial derivatives exist.

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Necessary Conditions for Local Extremum

Theorem. Suppose that f (x, y) is a continuous on region D in plane. If
(i) f (x, y) attains a local maximum value at an interior point (a, b) in D, and
(ii) both the partial derivatives fx (a, b) and fy (a, b) exist,
Then fx (a, b) = fy (a, b) = 0.
The theorem gives only a necessary condition for existence of a local extreme
point provided that all the first order partial derivatives exist. It can happen
that at a local extreme point, some of the first partial derivatives do not exist.

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Necessary Conditions for Local Extremum

Theorem. Suppose that f (x, y) is a continuous on region D in plane. If
(i) f (x, y) attains a local maximum value at an interior point (a, b) in D, and
(ii) both the partial derivatives fx (a, b) and fy (a, b) exist,
Then fx (a, b) = fy (a, b) = 0.
The theorem gives only a necessary condition for existence of a local extreme
point provided that all the first order partial derivatives exist. It can happen
that at a local extreme point, some of the first partial derivatives do not exist.
Definition. A point P in the domain of f is called a critical point of f , if (i) all first
order partial derivatives of f at P exist and are equal to 0, or (ii) at least a first
order partial derivatives of f does not exist.

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Types of Absolute Extremum

Theorem. Suppose that f is continuous on the plane region R consisting of the
points on and within a simple closed curve C.

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Types of Absolute Extremum

Theorem. Suppose that f is continuous on the plane region R consisting of the
points on and within a simple closed curve C. If f (a, b) is either the absolute
maximum or the absolute minimum value of f (x, y) on R, then

(I.T. Leong)

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Types of Absolute Extremum

Theorem. Suppose that f is continuous on the plane region R consisting of the
points on and within a simple closed curve C. If f (a, b) is either the absolute
maximum or the absolute minimum value of f (x, y) on R, then (a, b) is either

(I.T. Leong)

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Types of Absolute Extremum

Theorem. Suppose that f is continuous on the plane region R consisting of the
points on and within a simple closed curve C. If f (a, b) is either the absolute
maximum or the absolute minimum value of f (x, y) on R, then (a, b) is either
1

An interior point of R at which fx (a, b) = fy (a, b) = 0,

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Types of Absolute Extremum

Theorem. Suppose that f is continuous on the plane region R consisting of the
points on and within a simple closed curve C. If f (a, b) is either the absolute
maximum or the absolute minimum value of f (x, y) on R, then (a, b) is either
1

An interior point of R at which fx (a, b) = fy (a, b) = 0,

An interior point of R where not both partial derivatives exist, or

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Types of Absolute Extremum

Theorem. Suppose that f is continuous on the plane region R consisting of the
points on and within a simple closed curve C. If f (a, b) is either the absolute
maximum or the absolute minimum value of f (x, y) on R, then (a, b) is either
1

An interior point of R at which fx (a, b) = fy (a, b) = 0,

An interior point of R where not both partial derivatives exist, or

A point of the boundary curve C of R.

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Types of Absolute Extremum

Theorem. Suppose that f is continuous on the plane region R consisting of the
points on and within a simple closed curve C. If f (a, b) is either the absolute
maximum or the absolute minimum value of f (x, y) on R, then (a, b) is either
1

An interior point of R at which fx (a, b) = fy (a, b) = 0,

An interior point of R where not both partial derivatives exist, or

A point of the boundary curve C of R.

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Types of Absolute Extremum

Theorem. Suppose that f is continuous on the plane region R consisting of the
points on and within a simple closed curve C. If f (a, b) is either the absolute
maximum or the absolute minimum value of f (x, y) on R, then (a, b) is either
1

An interior point of R at which fx (a, b) = fy (a, b) = 0,

An interior point of R where not both partial derivatives exist, or

A point of the boundary curve C of R.

Definition. A point which satisfies the above conditions (1) or (2) is called a
critical point of the function f .

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Types of Absolute Extremum

Theorem. Suppose that f is continuous on the plane region R consisting of the
points on and within a simple closed curve C. If f (a, b) is either the absolute
maximum or the absolute minimum value of f (x, y) on R, then (a, b) is either
1

An interior point of R at which fx (a, b) = fy (a, b) = 0,

An interior point of R where not both partial derivatives exist, or

A point of the boundary curve C of R.

Definition. A point which satisfies the above conditions (1) or (2) is called a
critical point of the function f .
Proposition. Any extreme value of the continuous function f on the plane
region R, bounded by a simple closed curve, must occur at an interior critical
point or at a boundary point.

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Notation. For any given f , one write f (x, y) = fx (x, y)i + fy (x, y)j = (fx , fy ) at

point (x, y).

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Notation. For any given f , one write f (x, y) = fx (x, y)i + fy (x, y)j = (fx , fy ) at

point (x, y).

If f has 1st order partial derivatives on its domain, then

(a, b) is a critical point of f

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Notation. For any given f , one write f (x, y) = fx (x, y)i + fy (x, y)j = (fx , fy ) at

point (x, y).

If f has 1st order partial derivatives on its domain, then

(a, b) is a critical point of f f (a, b) = (0, 0).

So one can think of this condition as a set of equations to determine the
possible interior critical points.
Example. Define f (x, y) =

x2 + y2 on R2 . It is easy to see that the partial

derivatives fx and
fy exist only for all (x, y) = (0, 0). Moreover,

= hh = hh which is equal to 1 if h > 0, and equal to 1 if h < 0.

f (h,0)f (0,0)
So the limit lim
does not exist, i.e. fx (0, 0) does not exist.
h
f (h,0)f (0,0)
h

h0

However, the function f attains the global minimum value at (x, y) = (0, 0), so
the theorem fails to apply to apply as the condition is not satisfied.

(I.T. Leong)

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Example. Find the maximum and minimum values by the function

f (x, y) = xy x y + 3 at the points of the triangular region R in the xy-plane

with vertices at O(0, 0), A(2, 0) and B(0, 4).

Solution. As f is a polynomial, so both fx and fy exist at any interior points of

R. According to the theorem above, to search for the interior extremum point
of f , one need to determine the interior critical points of f in AOB. Then

(fx (x, y), fy (x, y)) = (y 1, x 1), so (x, y) = (1, 1) is the critical points of f .

(I.T. Leong)

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Example. Find the maximum and minimum values by the function

f (x, y) = xy x y + 3 at the points of the triangular region R in the xy-plane

with vertices at O(0, 0), A(2, 0) and B(0, 4).

Solution. As f is a polynomial, so both fx and fy exist at any interior points of

R. According to the theorem above, to search for the interior extremum point
of f , one need to determine the interior critical points of f in AOB. Then

(fx (x, y), fy (x, y)) = (y 1, x 1), so (x, y) = (1, 1) is the critical points of f . As
R is a closed and bounded set in R2 , so one knows that the continuous
function f must attains extremum values at some points in R together with the
boundary AOB. So one needs to consider the boundary points of R,

(I.T. Leong)

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Example. Find the maximum and minimum values by the function

f (x, y) = xy x y + 3 at the points of the triangular region R in the xy-plane

with vertices at O(0, 0), A(2, 0) and B(0, 4).

Solution. As f is a polynomial, so both fx and fy exist at any interior points of

R. According to the theorem above, to search for the interior extremum point
of f , one need to determine the interior critical points of f in AOB. Then

(fx (x, y), fy (x, y)) = (y 1, x 1), so (x, y) = (1, 1) is the critical points of f . As
R is a closed and bounded set in R2 , so one knows that the continuous
function f must attains extremum values at some points in R together with the
boundary AOB. So one needs to consider the boundary points of R,
AO : g(x) = f (x, 0) = x + 3 for 0 x 2. max g = 3, min g = 1.

(I.T. Leong)

Math 200 in 2010

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Example. Find the maximum and minimum values by the function

f (x, y) = xy x y + 3 at the points of the triangular region R in the xy-plane

with vertices at O(0, 0), A(2, 0) and B(0, 4).

Solution. As f is a polynomial, so both fx and fy exist at any interior points of

R. According to the theorem above, to search for the interior extremum point
of f , one need to determine the interior critical points of f in AOB. Then

(fx (x, y), fy (x, y)) = (y 1, x 1), so (x, y) = (1, 1) is the critical points of f . As
R is a closed and bounded set in R2 , so one knows that the continuous
function f must attains extremum values at some points in R together with the
boundary AOB. So one needs to consider the boundary points of R,
AO : g(x) = f (x, 0) = x + 3 for 0 x 2. max g = 3, min g = 1.
BO : h(y) = f (0, y) = y + 3 for 0 y 3. max h = 3, min h = 0.

(I.T. Leong)

Math 200 in 2010

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Example. Find the maximum and minimum values by the function

f (x, y) = xy x y + 3 at the points of the triangular region R in the xy-plane

with vertices at O(0, 0), A(2, 0) and B(0, 4).

Solution. As f is a polynomial, so both fx and fy exist at any interior points of

R. According to the theorem above, to search for the interior extremum point
of f , one need to determine the interior critical points of f in AOB. Then

(fx (x, y), fy (x, y)) = (y 1, x 1), so (x, y) = (1, 1) is the critical points of f . As
R is a closed and bounded set in R2 , so one knows that the continuous
function f must attains extremum values at some points in R together with the
boundary AOB. So one needs to consider the boundary points of R,
AO : g(x) = f (x, 0) = x + 3 for 0 x 2. max g = 3, min g = 1.
BO : h(y) = f (0, y) = y + 3 for 0 y 3. max h = 3, min h = 0.
Parameterize segment AB by

r(t) = OA + tAB = (2, 0) + t(2, 4) = (2 2t, 4t) for 0 t 1.

AB : k(t) = f (2 2t, 4t) = (2 2t)(4t) (2 2t) 4t + 3 = 8t2 + 6t + 1 for
0 t 1. max k =??, min k =??. See the blackboard,or the textbook.
(I.T. Leong)

Math 200 in 2010

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Example. Find the maximum and minimum values by the function

f (x, y) = xy x y + 3 at the points of the triangular region R in the xy-plane

with vertices at O(0, 0), A(2, 0) and B(0, 4).

Solution. As f is a polynomial, so both fx and fy exist at any interior points of

R. According to the theorem above, to search for the interior extremum point
of f , one need to determine the interior critical points of f in AOB. Then

(fx (x, y), fy (x, y)) = (y 1, x 1), so (x, y) = (1, 1) is the critical points of f . As
R is a closed and bounded set in R2 , so one knows that the continuous
function f must attains extremum values at some points in R together with the
boundary AOB. So one needs to consider the boundary points of R,
AO : g(x) = f (x, 0) = x + 3 for 0 x 2. max g = 3, min g = 1.
BO : h(y) = f (0, y) = y + 3 for 0 y 3. max h = 3, min h = 0.
Parameterize segment AB by

r(t) = OA + tAB = (2, 0) + t(2, 4) = (2 2t, 4t) for 0 t 1.

AB : k(t) = f (2 2t, 4t) = (2 2t)(4t) (2 2t) 4t + 3 = 8t2 + 6t + 1 for
0 t 1. max k =??, min k =??. See the blackboard,or the textbook.
(I.T. Leong)

Math 200 in 2010

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Example. Find the maximum and minimum values of the function

f (x, y) = xy x y + 3 for the point on the unit disc
D = { (x, y) x2 + y2 1 }.

(I.T. Leong)

Math 200 in 2010

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Example. Find the maximum and minimum values of the function

f (x, y) = xy x y + 3 for the point on the unit disc
D = { (x, y) x2 + y2 1 }.

Solution. As f is a polynomial, it follows from the law of limits that its first order
partial derivatives exist on R2 . For interior critical point, we have

f (x, y) = (0, 0) if and only if (0, 0) = (fx (x, y), fy (x, y)) = (y 1, x 1), i.e.
(x, y) = (1, 1).

(I.T. Leong)

Math 200 in 2010

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Example. Find the maximum and minimum values of the function

f (x, y) = xy x y + 3 for the point on the unit disc
D = { (x, y) x2 + y2 1 }.

Solution. As f is a polynomial, it follows from the law of limits that its first order
partial derivatives exist on R2 . For interior critical point, we have

f (x, y) = (0, 0) if and only if (0, 0) = (fx (x, y), fy (x, y)) = (y 1, x 1), i.e.
(x, y) = (1, 1). In this case, the point (1, 1) does not lie in the disc D. So both
maximum and minimum values occur at the boundary points of D, which is
the unit circle C.

(I.T. Leong)

Math 200 in 2010

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Example. Find the maximum and minimum values of the function

f (x, y) = xy x y + 3 for the point on the unit disc
D = { (x, y) x2 + y2 1 }.

Solution. As f is a polynomial, it follows from the law of limits that its first order
partial derivatives exist on R2 . For interior critical point, we have

f (x, y) = (0, 0) if and only if (0, 0) = (fx (x, y), fy (x, y)) = (y 1, x 1), i.e.
(x, y) = (1, 1). In this case, the point (1, 1) does not lie in the disc D. So both
maximum and minimum values occur at the boundary points of D, which is
the unit circle C. Then we parameterize C : r(t) = (cos t, sin t) for 0 t 2.
Define the function
g(t) = f r(t) = f (cos t, sin t) = sin t cos t sin t cos t + 3, which is a
differentiable function of one variable on the closed interval [0, 2 ]. One can
use derivative test of one variable to find the maximum and minimum value of
g, and hence that of f . Here we skip the details for the sake of time.

(I.T. Leong)

Math 200 in 2010

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Differentiable Functions
Let f be a function of single variable y = f (x), an increment x of input x
means x 7 x + x,

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Differentiable Functions
Let f be a function of single variable y = f (x), an increment x of input x
means x 7 x + x, then there is an increment in output y defined as
y = f (x + x) f (x).

(I.T. Leong)

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Differentiable Functions
Let f be a function of single variable y = f (x), an increment x of input x
means x 7 x + x, then there is an increment in output y defined as
y = f (x + x) f (x).

Since derivative of f at x, exists, then we have

y = f (x + x) f (x) = f (x)x + (x) x,

where (x) denotes a small quantity for the limit procedure will kill this term
as x 0, that is

(I.T. Leong)

lim (x) = 0.

x0

Math 200 in 2010

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Differentiable Functions
Let f be a function of single variable y = f (x), an increment x of input x
means x 7 x + x, then there is an increment in output y defined as
y = f (x + x) f (x).

Since derivative of f at x, exists, then we have

y = f (x + x) f (x) = f (x)x + (x) x,

where (x) denotes a small quantity for the limit procedure will kill this term
as x 0, that is

lim (x) = 0.

x0

So we introduce the concept of differential dx, dy as mathematical object to

represent the relationship of this increment relation,
dy = f (x)dx,
in which dx and dy can be interpreted as linear increments geometrically.

(I.T. Leong)

Math 200 in 2010

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Differentiable Functions
Let f be a function of single variable y = f (x), an increment x of input x
means x 7 x + x, then there is an increment in output y defined as
y = f (x + x) f (x).

Since derivative of f at x, exists, then we have

y = f (x + x) f (x) = f (x)x + (x) x,

where (x) denotes a small quantity for the limit procedure will kill this term
as x 0, that is

lim (x) = 0.

x0

So we introduce the concept of differential dx, dy as mathematical object to

represent the relationship of this increment relation,
dy = f (x)dx,
in which dx and dy can be interpreted as linear increments geometrically.

(I.T. Leong)

Math 200 in 2010

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Definition. Let z = f (x, y) be a function defined on domain D, and P(a, b) is a

point in D. f is called differentiable at a point P(a, b), if the increment
f = f (a + x, b + y) f (a, b) at P(a, b) can be written as

fx (a, b)x + fy (a, b)y + (x, y) x2 + y2 ,

(I.T. Leong)

Math 200 in 2010

where

2010 c 9

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Definition. Let z = f (x, y) be a function defined on domain D, and P(a, b) is a

point in D. f is called differentiable at a point P(a, b), if the increment
f = f (a + x, b + y) f (a, b) at P(a, b) can be written as

fx (a, b)x + fy (a, b)y + (x, y) x2 + y2 ,

where

f (a + x, b + y) f (a, b) fx (a, b)x fy (a, b)y

x2 + y2
is a function depends on (x, y) and satisfies the following limit requirement
(x, y) =

lim

(x,y)(0,0)

(x, y) = 0.

Definition. f is differentiable on its domain D, if f is differentiable at every point

in D.
Remarks. (i) The definition of differentiability of a function at a point can be
generalized to for function of more than 2 variables.
(I.T. Leong)

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Definition. Let z = f (x, y) be a function defined on domain D, and P(a, b) is a

point in D. f is called differentiable at a point P(a, b), if the increment
f = f (a + x, b + y) f (a, b) at P(a, b) can be written as

fx (a, b)x + fy (a, b)y + (x, y) x2 + y2 ,

where

f (a + x, b + y) f (a, b) fx (a, b)x fy (a, b)y

x2 + y2
is a function depends on (x, y) and satisfies the following limit requirement
(x, y) =

lim

(x,y)(0,0)

(x, y) = 0.

Definition. f is differentiable on its domain D, if f is differentiable at every point

in D.
Remarks. (i) The definition of differentiability of a function at a point can be
generalized to for function of more than 2 variables. (ii) In general, it is very
difficult to verify that a given function of multi-variables is differentiable.
(I.T. Leong)

Math 200 in 2010

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Definition. Let z = f (x, y) be a function defined on domain D, and P(a, b) is a

point in D. f is called differentiable at a point P(a, b), if the increment
f = f (a + x, b + y) f (a, b) at P(a, b) can be written as

fx (a, b)x + fy (a, b)y + (x, y) x2 + y2 ,

where

f (a + x, b + y) f (a, b) fx (a, b)x fy (a, b)y

x2 + y2
is a function depends on (x, y) and satisfies the following limit requirement
(x, y) =

lim

(x,y)(0,0)

(x, y) = 0.

Definition. f is differentiable on its domain D, if f is differentiable at every point

in D.
Remarks. (i) The definition of differentiability of a function at a point can be
generalized to for function of more than 2 variables. (ii) In general, it is very
difficult to verify that a given function of multi-variables is differentiable.
(I.T. Leong)

Math 200 in 2010

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Proposition. (i) If f is a polynomial function, then f is differentiable;

(I.T. Leong)

Math 200 in 2010

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Proposition. (i) If f is a polynomial function, then f is differentiable;

(ii) If f and g are differentiable functions defined on D, such that then the
following functions s(x) = f (x) + g(x),

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Proposition. (i) If f is a polynomial function, then f is differentiable;

(ii) If f and g are differentiable functions defined on D, such that then the
following functions s(x) = f (x) + g(x), d(x) = f (x) g(x)

(I.T. Leong)

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Proposition. (i) If f is a polynomial function, then f is differentiable;

(ii) If f and g are differentiable functions defined on D, such that then the
following functions s(x) = f (x) + g(x), d(x) = f (x) g(x) , p(x) = f (x) g(x)

(I.T. Leong)

Math 200 in 2010

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Proposition. (i) If f is a polynomial function, then f is differentiable;

(ii) If f and g are differentiable functions defined on D, such that then the
following functions s(x) = f (x) + g(x), d(x) = f (x) g(x) , p(x) = f (x) g(x)
and q(x) =

f (x)
g(x)

(I.T. Leong)

Math 200 in 2010

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Proposition. (i) If f is a polynomial function, then f is differentiable;

(ii) If f and g are differentiable functions defined on D, such that then the
following functions s(x) = f (x) + g(x), d(x) = f (x) g(x) , p(x) = f (x) g(x)
and q(x) =

f (x)
g(x)

(I.T. Leong)

are differentiable on D, provided g(x) = 0 for all x in D.

Math 200 in 2010

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Proposition. (i) If f is a polynomial function, then f is differentiable;

(ii) If f and g are differentiable functions defined on D, such that then the
following functions s(x) = f (x) + g(x), d(x) = f (x) g(x) , p(x) = f (x) g(x)
and q(x) =

f (x)
g(x)

are differentiable on D, provided g(x) = 0 for all x in D.

(iii) In particular, a rational function is a differentiable at every point in the

domain D, then we call f is differentiable on D.

(I.T. Leong)

Math 200 in 2010

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Proposition. (i) If f is a polynomial function, then f is differentiable;

(ii) If f and g are differentiable functions defined on D, such that then the
following functions s(x) = f (x) + g(x), d(x) = f (x) g(x) , p(x) = f (x) g(x)
and q(x) =

f (x)
g(x)

are differentiable on D, provided g(x) = 0 for all x in D.

(iii) In particular, a rational function is a differentiable at every point in the

domain D, then we call f is differentiable on D.
Proposition. Let f be a scalar differentiable function defined in a domain D of
Rn with range R, and

(I.T. Leong)

Math 200 in 2010

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Proposition. (i) If f is a polynomial function, then f is differentiable;

(ii) If f and g are differentiable functions defined on D, such that then the
following functions s(x) = f (x) + g(x), d(x) = f (x) g(x) , p(x) = f (x) g(x)
and q(x) =

f (x)
g(x)

are differentiable on D, provided g(x) = 0 for all x in D.

(iii) In particular, a rational function is a differentiable at every point in the

domain D, then we call f is differentiable on D.
Proposition. Let f be a scalar differentiable function defined in a domain D of
Rn with range R, and g is a scalar differentiable function defined on the set R.
Then

(I.T. Leong)

Math 200 in 2010

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Proposition. (i) If f is a polynomial function, then f is differentiable;

(ii) If f and g are differentiable functions defined on D, such that then the
following functions s(x) = f (x) + g(x), d(x) = f (x) g(x) , p(x) = f (x) g(x)
and q(x) =

f (x)
g(x)

are differentiable on D, provided g(x) = 0 for all x in D.

(iii) In particular, a rational function is a differentiable at every point in the

domain D, then we call f is differentiable on D.
Proposition. Let f be a scalar differentiable function defined in a domain D of
Rn with range R, and g is a scalar differentiable function defined on the set R.
Then the composite function g f is a scalar differentiable function defined on
D.

(I.T. Leong)

Math 200 in 2010

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Example. Let f (x, y) =

is differentiable on

R2 .

x2 y2
x2 + y2

for all (x, y) = (0, 0), and f (0, 0) = 0. Prove that f

Solution. From the proposition above, one knows that f is differentiable on

R2 {(0, 0)}. It remains to show that f is differentiable at P(0, 0). For this, one

has to check that the first partial derivative exist. Indeed

f (0+h,0)f (0,0)
h

= lim 0h 0 = 0, and similarly fy (0, 0) = 0. Now we

h0 

 f (0+x,0+y)f (0,0)fx (0,0)xfy (0,0)y 
=

need to check that ((x, y) = 


(x)2 +(y)2




 (x)2 (y)2
( (x)2 +(y)2 )2
1
2
2


 (x)2 +(y)2 (x)2 +(y)2  4( (x)2 +(y)2 )3/2 = (x) + (y) .
(
)2
In fact, the inequality is due to AM-GM inequality ab a+2 b . Then it follows
from the sandwich theorem of limit that
lim
(x, y) = 0.
fx (0, 0) = lim

h0

(x,y)(0,0)

(I.T. Leong)

Math 200 in 2010

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Definition. For any differentiable f and a point P(a, b) in its domain, let
L(x, y) = f (a, b) + fx (a, b)(x a) + fy (a, b)(y b)

= f (a, b) + f (a, b) (x a, y b)
be the linear approximation of f at the point P(a, b).

(I.T. Leong)

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Definition. For any differentiable f and a point P(a, b) in its domain, let
L(x, y) = f (a, b) + fx (a, b)(x a) + fy (a, b)(y b)

= f (a, b) + f (a, b) (x a, y b)
be the linear approximation of f at the point P(a, b).

Remark. For any fixed P(a, b), the function L(x, y) associated to a function f at
P(a, b) has a graph z = L(x, y) which is the tangent plane.

(I.T. Leong)

Math 200 in 2010

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Definition. For any differentiable f and a point P(a, b) in its domain, let
L(x, y) = f (a, b) + fx (a, b)(x a) + fy (a, b)(y b)

= f (a, b) + f (a, b) (x a, y b)
be the linear approximation of f at the point P(a, b).

Remark. For any fixed P(a, b), the function L(x, y) associated to a function f at
P(a, b) has a graph z = L(x, y) which is the tangent plane.

(3.2)2 + (3.9)2 using the linear

approximation to the function f (x, y) = x2 + y2 at (3, 4).

A. 5.02 B. 4.96 C. 5.04 D. 5.06 E. 4.92
x
y
Solution. f (x, y) = (
,
), and f (3, 4) = (3/5, 4/5), so the
x2 + y2
x2 + y2
linear approximation of f (x, y) at (3, 4) is given by
L(x, y) = f (3, 4) + f (3, 4) (x 3, y 4) = 5 + 53 (x 3) + 54 (y 4). Then the

number (3.2)2 + (3.9)2 can be approximated by

3
2
25
= 5.04.
L(3.2, 3.9) = 5 + 53 0.2 45 0.1 = 5 + 25
Example. Approximate the number

(I.T. Leong)

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Definition. In general, if f is a function defined in a domain D in Rn (n = 2, 3),

and P(x0 ) is a point in D, then the linear approximation of f at P is given by
L(x) = f (x0 ) + f (x0 ) (x x0 ),
f

where f (x0 ) = ( x (x0 ), x (x0 ), , xn (x0 ) ), and x = (x1 , , xn ).

1

Example. The function f (x, y) = 6x2 2x3 + y3 + 3y2 has n critical points, then
n=

A. 0

B. 1

C. 2

D. 3

E. more than 3.

Solution. f (x, y) = (12x 6x2 , 3y2 + 6y), f (x, y) = (0, 0) if and only

0 = 6x(x + 2) and 0 = 2y(y + 2), it follows that

(x, y) = (0, 0), (2, 0), (0, 2), (2, 2) are the critical points of f .

(I.T. Leong)

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Chain Rule I
If w = f (x, y) has continuous first-order partial derivatives and that
r(t) = (g(t), h(t) is a differentiable curve in the domain of f , then

(I.T. Leong)

Math 200 in 2010

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Chain Rule I
If w = f (x, y) has continuous first-order partial derivatives and that
r(t) = (g(t), h(t) is a differentiable curve in the domain of f , then (i) the
composite function F(t) = w r(t) = f (g(t), h(t)) is a differentiable function of
t, and

(I.T. Leong)

Math 200 in 2010

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Chain Rule I
If w = f (x, y) has continuous first-order partial derivatives and that
r(t) = (g(t), h(t) is a differentiable curve in the domain of f , then (i) the
composite function F(t) = w r(t) = f (g(t), h(t)) is a differentiable function of
w dx w dy
dF
t, and (ii) its derivative is given by
=

= f (r(t)) r (t).
dt
x dt
y dt

(I.T. Leong)

Math 200 in 2010

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Chain Rule I
If w = f (x, y) has continuous first-order partial derivatives and that
r(t) = (g(t), h(t) is a differentiable curve in the domain of f , then (i) the
composite function F(t) = w r(t) = f (g(t), h(t)) is a differentiable function of
w dx w dy
dF
t, and (ii) its derivative is given by
=

= f (r(t)) r (t).
dt
x dt
y dt

Chain Rule II
Example. Suppose that w = f (x, y) has continuous first-order partial
derivatives and that the coordinates (x, y) are functions of the other variables
r, such as in polar coordinates, i.e x(r, ) = r cos , and y(r, ) = r sin . By
means of the new coordinates, w becomes a function in the variables r, ,
Namely, by means of composition, we have w(r, ) = w(x(r, ), y(r, )), for
example f (r cos , r sin ) in terms of polar coordinates. The partial derivative
w
r

can be evaluated by treating the variable as a fixed constant, so it follows

w x w y
w
=

+
.
from the chain rule stated above that
r
x r
y r
(I.T. Leong)

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Theorem. Suppose that w = f (x, y, z) is a differentiable function, where

x = x(u, v),

y = y(u, v),

z = z(u, v), where the coordinate functions are

parameterized by differentiable functions. Then the composite function

w(u, v) = f ( x(u, v), (u, v), (u, v) ) is a differentiable function in u and v, such
that the partial functions are given by
w
u
w
v

(I.T. Leong)

=
=

w
x
w
x

x
w y
w z
+

+
;
u
y u
z u
x w y w z

+
.
v
y v
z v

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(I.T. Leong)

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dz
at t = 1 if
dt
dx
y = t2 , and
(1) = x(1) = 1.
dt

Example. Use the chain rule to find

z = arctan(yx2 ),

(I.T. Leong)

x = x(t),

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dz
at t = 1 if
dt
dx
y = t2 , and
(1) = x(1) = 1.
dt

Example. Use the chain rule to find

z = arctan(yx2 ),

x = x(t),

z
1
2xy
x2

z
2
=
(
yx
)
=
=

,
and
x
y
1 + (yx2 )2 x
1 + (yx2 )2
1 + (yx2 )2
2
z dx y dy
2xy
dx
x
dz
=

+
2t. When t = 1, we
dt
x dt
y dt
1 + (yx2 )2 dt
1 + (yx2 )2
have x(1) = x (1) = 1, y(1) = 1, and y (1) = 2. Then
dz 
1
2
= 1 + 2 = 1 + 1 = 2.

dt t=1
2
2
Solution. First

(I.T. Leong)

Math 200 in 2010

2010 c 9

22 F

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