1

Chapter 1

Multi-variable functions

The concept of Multivariable functions is a generalization of functions of one variable. In

this chapter, we will study multivariable functions.

1.1 Domain, Range

Denition 1.1.1 A real-valued function f of 2− variables is a function:
f: R2 → R
(x, y) → t = f (x, y)

that assigns a real value t for each point (x, y).

The pair (x, y) for a function of 2-variables f (x, y) are two independent variables, however
t is dependent variable, it depends on x and y .

Denition 1.1.2 The subset of R2 in which the function f of 2-variables is well dened
is called the domain of f and it is denoted by Df . Which means that
Df = {(x, y) ∈ R2 ; f (x, y) exists }

The domain of a function of 2-variables f is a region in the xy-plane.

Denition 1.1.3 The set of t-values taken on by f is called the range of f .

Rf = {t ∈ R; t = f (x, y) for (x, y) ∈ Df }
F. Farah 1. Multi-variable functions

Example 1.1.4 Find the domain and the range for the following functions:

1 x
a) f (x, y) = b) f (x, y) = sin( )
x2 + y2 y
2 +y 2 1
c) f (x, y) = ex d) f (x, y) =
16 − x2 − y 2

Solution. As we know that the domain of f is the set of points in R2 where the function
is well dened and the range is the set of values taken on by f .

1
a) f (x, y) =
x2 + y2

Domain : The function f is well dened if its denominator is not zero which means if
x2 + y 2 6= 0, the only possible case is where both x, y are zeros, i.e. the origin point. Thus,

Df = R2 − {(0, 0)}.

Range : Since the numerator and denominator are both positive then the range will be
all positive values of R. In addition, the numerator is 1 so the function will never take a
zero value. Therefore,
Rf =]0, +∞[

x
b) f (x, y) = sin( )
y

Domain : The function sin is well dened function, but since f is composition of trigono-
metric and fraction functions so the denominator must be not zero which means if y 6= 0.
Thus,
Df = R2 − {x-axis}.
Range : The range of a sin function is always between −1 and 1. Therefore,
Rf = [−1, 1]

c) f (x, y) = ex +y
2 2

Domain : The exponential function is well dened function, everywhere. So,

Df = R2 .
F. Farah 3

Range : The exponential function takes always a positive values. Now, since x2 + y2 is
a positive number and the exponential function is an increasing function therefore
2 +y 2
ex ≥ e0 (= 1) ⇒ Rf = [1, +∞[

1
d) f (x, y) =
16 − x2 − y 2

Domain : The function f is well dened if its denominator is not zero which means if
16 − x2 − y 2 6= 0,i.e. x2 + y 2 6= 16. Thus

Df = R2 − {x2 + y 2 = 16}.

Range : Let t ∈ Rf and (x, y) ∈ Df , since the numerator is 1 so t 6= 0. Knowing that,

x2 + y 2 ≥ 0 =⇒ 16 − (x2 + y 2 ) ≤ 16

we have 2 cases:

1
i) For 16 − (x2 + y2 ) < 0, then t = is always negative.
16 − x2 − y 2

1 1
ii) For 16 − (x2 + y2 ) ≥ 0 and lower than 16, then t = 2 2
≥ . Therefore the
16 − x − y 16
range of f is
1
Rf =] − ∞, 0[∪[ , +∞[
16

More generally, a real-valued functions of several independent real variables n are

dened similarly to functions in two variables case. Points in the domain are ordered
n-tuples of real numbers, and values in the range are real numbers as we have worked
with all along.

1.2 Level curves

There are two standard ways to picture the values of a function f (x, y). One is to draw
the surface z = f (x, y) and the second is to label curves in the domain on which f has
a constant value c, it is a curve of intersection between the plane z = c and the surface
dened by z = f (x, y). From here, we obtain the following denition:
F. Farah 1. Multi-variable functions

Denition 1.2.1 The set of points in the plane where a function f (x, y) has a constant
value c is called a c−level curve of f.

Example 1.2.2 Describe the level curves of the following functions:

1 2 +y 2
a) f (x, y) = c) f (x, y) = ex
x2 + y 2

Solution.

a) Let c ∈ Rf so that f (x, y) = c, then

1 1
f (x, y) = = c ⇒ x2 + y 2 =
x2 +y 2 c
r
1
For each c, we obtain an equation of circle centred at the origin with radius R = .
r c
1
The level curves of f are set of circles centered at the origin with R = . In order
c
to sketch some of them we take dierent values of c, for example, take c = 1, c = 1/4,
c = 1/9.

b) Let c ∈ Rf so that f (x, y) = c, then

2 +y 2
f (x, y) = ex = c ⇒ x2 + y 2 = ln c
√
For each c, we obtain an equation of circle centred at the origin with √radius R = ln c.
The level curves of f are set of circles centered at the origin with R = ln c . In order to
sketch some of them we take dierent values of c, for example, take c = 1, c = e4 , c = e9 .

In the plane, the points where a function f (x, y) has a constant value c form a curve.
More generally, in space, the points where a function f (x, y, z) has a constant value
f (x, y, z) = c form a surface.
F. Farah 5

1.3 Assignment
Find the domain and range of the following function. Then, describe their level curves
and sketch 3 of them:

a) f (x, y) = ln( x +4x+xy

3
2x
2 )

xy
r
b) f (x, y) =
x2 + y2

r
1
c) f (x, y) = ln
x2 −y

√
x+ y
d) f (x, y) = √
x− y

√
y
e)f (x, y) = e x .
F. Farah 1. Multi-variable functions

1.4 Limits
Denition 1.4.1 We say that a function f (x, y) approaches the limit L as (x, y) ap-
proaches (x0 , y0 ) i
∀ > 0, ∃δ1 > 0, δ2 > 0; kx − x0 k < δ1 , ky − y0 k < δ2 =⇒ |f (x) − L| < 

and it is denoted by
lim f (x, y) = L
(x,y)→(x0 ,y0 )

To calculate the limits, we simply substitute x by x0 and y by y0 into the function f (x, y).

x2 y + y 2
Example 1.4.2 Calculate the limit of f (x, y) = when (x, y) approaches (2, 1).
x−y

Solution.
x2 y + y 2 4+1
lim = = 5.
(x,y)→(2,1) x − y 2−1

x2 − xy
Example 1.4.3 Calculate the limit of f (x, y) = √ √ when (x, y) approaches (0, 0).
x− y

Solution. By replacing x and y by 0 into f , we get an undeterminate form, we multiply

by the conjugate.
√ √ √ √
(x2 − xy)( x − y) x(x − y)( x − y)
lim(x,y)→(0,0) √ √ √ √ = lim(x,y)→(0,0)
( x − y)( x − y) √x − y√
= lim(x,y)→(0,0) x( x − y)
= 0.
P.S. Never use Hospital's Rule for a multi-variable function

1.4.1 Properties of limits

Suppose that :
lim f (x, y) = L1 and lim g(x, y) = L2 f (x, y) = L
(x,y)→(a,b) (x,y)→(a,b)

We have the following properties:

a) lim (f (x, y) + g(x, y)) = L1 + L2
(x,y)→(a,b)
F. Farah 7

b) lim αf (x, y) = αL1

(x,y)→(a,b)

c) lim (f (x, y).g(x, y)) = L1 .L2

(x,y)→(a,b)

f (x, y) L1
d) lim = , L2 6= 0.
(x,y)→(a,b) g(x, y) L2

Theorem 1.4.4 Path Test for Nonexistence of a Limit:

If a function f (x, y) has dierent limits along two dierent paths in the domain of f as
(x, y) approaches (a, b), then

lim f (x, y) does not exist.

(x,y)→(a,b)

Example 1.4.5 Study the limit at the origin for the following functions:
x+y 2x2 y
a) lim b) lim
(x,y)→(0,0) x − y (x,y)→(0,0) x4 + y 2

P.S. Having the same limit along some paths approaching (a, b) does not imply
a limit exists at (a, b).

1.4.2 Polar coordinates to nd limits

If you can not study in any way the limit of f (x, y) when (x, y) approaches (0, 0) in
rectangular coordinates (x, y), we try changing to polar coordinates, in the meaning, to
substitute x by r cos τ and y by r sin τ , and investigate the limit of the resulting expression
as r ↔ 0 ( τ free).

Example 1.4.6 Find the limit at the origin for the following functions:
x3 y 2x2
a) lim b) lim
(x,y)→(0,0) x2 + y 2 (x,y)→(0,0) x2 + y 2

1.5 Continuity
The denition of a continuous function for multi-variable functions is analogous to con-
tinuity for single-variable functions, but including more independent variables leads to
additional complexity.
F. Farah 1. Multi-variable functions

Denition 1.5.1 A function f (x, y) is continuous at the point (a, b) if

1. f is dened at (a, b).

2. The limit of f exists when (x, y) approaches (a, b)
3. lim(x,y)→(a,b) f (x, y) = f (a, b).

In addition, a function is said to be continuous function if it is continuous at every

point of its domain.

Example 1.5.2 1) Study the continuity at the origin for the following functions:


2xy
2xy 
for (x, y) 6= (0, 0);
a) f (x, y) = 2 b) f (x, y) = x2 + y2
x + y2  0 for (x, y) = (0, 0).

2) For which value of a the function f dened by :


x3 y
f (x, y) =

for (x, y) 6= (0, 0);
x2 + y 2

a for (x, y) = (0, 0).
is a continuous function.

1.6 Partial derivatives

We dene the partial derivative of f with respect to x at the point (a, b) as the ordinary
derivative of f (x, b) with respect to x at the point x = a. Similarly for the partial
derivative of f with respect to y .

Denition 1.6.1 The (rst order) partial derivative of f (x, y) with respect to x at the
point (a, b)
∂f f (a + h, b) − f (a, b)
= lim for h ∈ R
∂x h→0 h
provided the limit exists.
F. Farah 9

The (rst order) partial derivative of f (x, y) with respect to y at the point (a, b) is
∂f f (a, b + h) − f (a, b)
= lim for h ∈ R
∂y h→0 h

provided the limit exists.

Notations 1.6.2 We denoted the partial derivatives of f with respect to x by

∂f
, fx , fx0 .
∂x
Similarly, we denoted the partial derivatives of f with respect to y by
∂f
, fy , fy0
∂y

As we notice, we used the symbol ∂ instead of d to distinguish partial derivatives from

ordinary derivatives.
Calculation
∂f
Usually, to nd the partial derivative of f (x, y) with respect to x, , we treat y as a
∂x
∂f
constant. And to nd the partial derivative of f (x, y) with respect to y , , we treat x
∂y
as a constant.

Example 1.6.3 Find the rst order partial derivatives of the following functions :

x
2x
a) f (x, y) = ye y b) f (x, y) =
x + sin y 2

Second-Order Partial Derivatives

The second order partial derivatives of f (x, y) is when we dierentiate f (x, y) twice. These
derivatives are denoted by

∂ 2f
• = fxx = f ”xx
∂x2
∂ 2f
• = fxy = f ”xy
∂y∂x

∂ 2f
• = fyx = f ”yx
∂x∂y
F. Farah 1. Multi-variable functions

∂ 2f
• = fyy = f ”yy
∂y 2

For example,
∂ 2f ∂ ∂f
= ( ).
∂y∂x ∂y ∂x
Means we dierentiate rst with respect to x, then with respect to y .

Example 1.6.4 Find the second partial derivatives of

x
2x
a) f (x, y) = ye y b) f (x, y) =
x + sin y 2

Theorem 1.6.5 The Mixed Derivative Theorem : If f (x, y) and its partial deriva-
tives fx , fy , fxy , and fyx , are dened throughout an open region containing a point (a, b)
and are all continuous at (a, b), then

fxy (a, b) = fyx (a, b).

1.6.1 Implicit dierentiation

Sometime it is complicated to separate the variable dependent variable from the indepen-
dent variables as the next example illustrates:

∂z
Example 1.6.6 Find so that :
∂x

yz − ln z = x + y

denes z as a function of the two independent variables x and y.

Solution. We dierentiate both sides of the equation with respect to x, we treat z as a

dierentiable function of two independent variables x and y
∂yz ∂ ln z ∂x + y ∂z 1 ∂z 1 ∂z ∂z 1
− = y − = 1(y − ) =1⇒ = .
∂x ∂x ∂x ∂x z ∂x z ∂x ∂x 1
(y − )
z
F. Farah 11

1.6.2 Chain Rule

Theorem 1.6.7 Chain Rule for Functions of Two Independent variables.
If w = f (x, y) is dierentiable and if x = x(t),y = y(t) are dierentiable functions of I,
then the composite w = f (x(t), y(t)) is a dierentiable function of t and
dw ∂w dx ∂w dy
= +
dt ∂x dt ∂y dt

Example 1.6.8 Use the Chain Rule to nd the derivative of w = xy with respect to t
along the path x = cos t, y = sin t.

Solution. Using the Chain rule formula:

dw ∂w dx ∂w dy
= + = y(− sin t) + x cos t = − sin2 t + cos2 t.
dt ∂x dt ∂y dt
More generally, if w = f (x, y, z) is dierentiable and if x = x(t),y = y(t), z = z(t) are
dierentiable functions of t, then the composite w = f (x(t), y(t), z(t)) is a dierentiable
function of t and
dw ∂w dx ∂w dy ∂w dz
= + +
dt ∂x dt ∂y dt ∂z dt
Similarly, if w = f (x, y, z) is dierentiable and if x = x(r, s),y = y(r, s), z = z(r, s) are
dierentiable functions of rand s, then the composite w = f (x(r, s), y(r, s), z(r, s)) is a
dierentiable function of r and s and:
∂w ∂w ∂x ∂w ∂y ∂w ∂z
= + +
∂r ∂x ∂r ∂y ∂r ∂z ∂r
And
∂w ∂w ∂x ∂w ∂y ∂w ∂z
= + + .
∂s ∂x ∂s ∂y ∂s ∂z ∂s

∂f ∂f
Example 1.6.9 Find and for
∂r ∂s
r2
f (x, y, z) = x2 y + yelnz where x = y = r + s z = ers
s

Solution. Knowing that,

2r2 r4 yeln z (r + s)ers
fx = 2xy = , fy = x2 + eln z = 2 , fz = = =r+s
s(r + s) s + ers z ers
and
∂x 2r ∂x r2
= and =− 2
∂r s ∂s s
F. Farah 1. Multi-variable functions

∂y ∂y
= 1 and =1
∂r ∂s

∂z ∂z
= sers and = rers .
∂r ∂s
Using the chain rule formula,

∂w ∂w ∂x ∂w ∂y ∂w ∂z
= + +
∂r ∂x ∂r ∂y ∂r ∂z ∂r

Thus,
∂w 2r2 2r r4
= + 2 + (r + s)sers
∂r s(r + s) s s + ers
And
∂w r2 2r2 r4
=− 2 + 2 + (r + s)rers .
∂s s s(r + s) s + ers
A Formula for Implicit Dierentiation
Suppose that we have the following equation :

xey + yez + 2 ln x = 0

The problem is to determine ∂x ∂z

or ∂y
∂z
or ∂x
∂y
. . ..
The rst way : We dierentiate the equation with respect to the variable needed (check
implicit dierentiation section).
The second way: Take F (x, y, z) = xey + yez + 2 ln x = 0 then dierentiate F with
respect to the variable needed, supposedly the problem is to nd ∂x
∂z
, by using Chain Rule
for F we will get:
∂F ∂F ∂x ∂F ∂y ∂F ∂z
= + +
∂x ∂x ∂x ∂y ∂x ∂z ∂x

Form the other hand ∂F

∂x
= 0 since F = 0, we obtain:

∂F ∂F ∂F ∂z
0= .1 + .0 +
∂x ∂y ∂z ∂x

Which leads to
∂z Fx
=−
∂x Fz

Similarly for the others. We deduce the following formula:

∂xi Fx
=− j For any i, j ∈ N.
∂xj Fxi
F. Farah 13

1.6.3 Directional derivative and its applications

Denition 1.6.10 The rate of change of f (x, y) at P0 (x0 , y0 ) in the direction of the unit
vector u = u1 i + u2 j is the number
df
f (x0 + su1 , y0 + su2 ) − f (x0 , y0 )
(Du f )P0 = = lim
ds u,P0 s→0 s
provided the limit exists.

∂f
When u = i, the directional derivative at P0 is at P0 (x0 , y0 ) and whenu = j, the
∂x
∂f
directional derivative at P0 is at P0 (x0 , y0 ). The directional derivative generalizes the
∂y
two partial derivatives.

Denition 1.6.11 The gradient vector (gradient) of f (x, y) at a point P0 (x0 , y0 ) is the
vector
∇f = fx i + fy j

Geometrically, at every point P0 (x0 , y0 ) in the domain of a dierentiable function f (x, y),
the gradient of f is normal to the level curve f that passes through P0 (x0 , y0 ).

Theorem 1.6.12 The directional derivative of f in the direction of u at P0 is the dot

product of the gradient ∇f at P0 and u:
(Du f )P0 = (∇f )P0 .u

Example 1.6.13 Find the derivative of f (x, y) = xey + cos(xy) at the point (2, 0) in the
direction of v = 3i − 4j.

Evaluating the dot product in the formula

(Du f )P0 = (∇f )P0 .u = k(∇f )P0 k.kuk cos α,

where α is the angle between the vectors u and (∇f )P0 . Since u is a unit vector so its
magnitude is 1, we get the following properties:

a) The function f increases most rapidly when cos α = 1 or when α = 0, it means

that u and (∇f )P0 have the same directions. And the derivative in this direction is
(Du f )P0 = k(∇f )P0 k.
F. Farah 1. Multi-variable functions

b) Similarly, f decreases most rapidly in the opposite direction of (∇f )P0 , which means
in the direction of −(∇f )P0 , and the derivative in this direction is
(Du f )P0 = −k(∇f )P0 k.

c) Any direction u orthogonal to a gradient (∇f )P0 is a direction of zero change in f

because 0 then
(Du f )P0 = 0.

Example 1.6.14 Find the directions in which f (x, y) = x2 y + exy at P (1, 0) increases
most rapidly, decreases most rapidly and no change in f . Then specify for each case the
value of its directional derivative.

1.6.4 Tangent Line, Tangent Plane, normal line

Consider a plane curve (C) dened by f (x, y) = k and P0 (x0 , y0 ) belongs to it. Knowing
that,the gradient vector st P0 is normal to (C), so it is orthogonal to the tangent line,
(T ). To get the equation of (T ), take M (x, y) ∈ (T ). Then,
~ |P =⇒ P~M .∇f
P~M ⊥ ∇f ~ |P = 0
0 0

where    
x − x0 fx
P~M = and ∇f
~ |P = |P0
y − y0 0
fy
since P~M .∇f
~ |P = 0 it leads to the following equation ()
0

(x − x0 )fx |P0 + (y − y0 )fy |P0 = 0

1.6.4 is the equation of the tangent line at P0 to (C).

Similarly, the equation of the tangent plane at P0 (x0 , y0 , z0 ) to the surface (S) dened
by f (x, y, z) = k is
(x − x0 )fx |P0 + (y − y0 )fy |P0 + (z − z0 )fz |P0 = 0

Normal line : A line in the space, (3D), is dened by a parametric equation. Let (N ) be
the normal line to the surface (S) dened by f (x, y, z) = k at P0 , and let M (x, y, z) ∈ (N ).
Since ∇f
~ |P is a vector normal to the surface so P0~M // ∇f
0
~ |P which leads to
0


 x = x0 + tfx |P0
y = y0 + tfy |P0
z = z0 + tfz |P0


where t ∈ R, is a parametric equation for the normal line (N ).

F. Farah 15

Example 1.6.15 a) Find equations for the tangent plane and normal line to the surface
dened by f (x, y, z) = x2 y + y2 z + xz 2 = 5 at P0 (2, 1, −1).
b) Given the function f (x, y) = 2x3 + 3x2 − 2y 3 − 3y 2 . Find the equation of the tangent
plane and normal line to the surface dened by f at the point A(1, 0, 5).

1.6.5 Linearization, standard linear approximation, The Error in

the Standard Linear Approximation
Denition 1.6.16 The linearization of a function f (x, y) at a point (x0 , y0 ) where f is
dierentiable is the function
L(x, y) = f (x0 , y0 ) + fx |(x0 ,y0 ) (x − xo) + fy |(x0 ,y0 ) (y − y0 ).

The approximation
f (x, y) ≈ L(x, y)
is the standard linear approximation of f at (x0 , y0 ).
Then the error E(x, y) in the approximation L(x, y) over a region R centered at (x0 , y0 )
satises the inequality:
1
| E(x, y) |≤ M (| x − x0 | + | y − y0 |)2 .
2
where M is an upper bound for the values of | fxx |, | fxy | and | fyy | on R.

Example 1.6.17 Find the linearization of the following function :

1
a) For f (x, y) = x2 − xy + y2 + 3 at at the point (3, 2). Then nd an upper bound for
2
the error in the approximation over R: | x − 3 |≤ 0.1 and | y − 2 |≤ 0.2.

b) For f (x, y) = ex cos y at the point (0, 0) Then nd an upper bound for the error in the
approximation over R:| x |≤ 0.1 and | y |≤ 0.1

1.7 Total Dierential

Denition 1.7.1 If we move from (x0 , y0 ) to a point (x0 +dx, y0 +dy) nearby, the resulting
change
df = fx |(x0 ,y0 ) dx + fy |(x0 ,y0 ) dy
is called the total dierential of f .
F. Farah 1. Multi-variable functions

We can deduce the following denitions:

1. Absolute Change: df = fx |(x0 ,y0 ) dx + fy |(x0 ,y0 ) dy

df
2. Relative Change:
f (x0 , y0 )
df
3. Percentage Change: × 100.
f (x0 , y0 )

Example 1.7.2 1. A cylindrical can is designed to have a radius of 1 inch and a

height of 5 inches, but that the radius and height are o by the amounts 0.03 and
−0.1 respectively. Estimate the resulting absolute change, relative and percentage in
the volume of the can.
2. The volume of a circular cylinder is given by V = πr2 h. Suppose that r is measured
with an error of no more than 2% and h with an error of no more than 0.5%.
Estimate the resulting possible percentage error in the calculation of V .

1.8 Extreme values and saddle points

Denition 1.8.1 • f (a, b) is a local maximum value of f if f (a, b) ≥ f (x, y) for all
points (x, y) in an open disk centered at (a, b).
• f (a, b) is a local minimum value of f if f (a, b) ≤ f (x, y) for all points (x, y) in an
open disk centered at (a, b).

As with functions of a one variable, the key to identifying the local extrema is a rst
derivative test.

Theorem 1.8.2 First Derivative Test for Local Extreme Values: If f (x, y) has a local
maximum or minimum value at an interior point (a, b) of its domain and if the rst
partial derivatives exist there, then fx (a, b) = 0 and fy (a, b) = o.

Denition 1.8.3 A point (a, b) is a critical point if fx (a, b) = 0 and fy (a, b) = o or if

fx (a, b) doesn't exist or fy (a, b) doesn't exist.

Denition 1.8.4 A function f (x, y) has a saddle point at a critical point (a, b) if in every
open disk centered at (a, b) there are points (x, y) where f (x, y) > f (a, b) and points (x, y)
where f (x, y) < f (a, b).
F. Farah 17

Theorem 1.8.5 Second Derivative test for Local Extreme Values :

Suppose that f (x, y) and its rst and second partial derivatives are continuous throughout
a disk centered at (a, b) and that(a, b) is a critical point. Then:

i) f has a local maximum at (a, b) if fxx < 0 and fxx fyy − fxy
2
> 0 at (a, b).

ii) f has a local minimum at (a, b) if fxx > 0 and fxx fyy − fxy
2
> 0 at (a, b).

iii) f has a saddle point (a, b) if fxx fyy − fxy

2
< 0 at (a, b).

iv) the test is inconclusive at (a, b) if fxx fyy − fxy

2
= 0 at (a, b).

The expression fxx fyy − fxy

2
is called the discriminant or Hessian of f . It is sometimes
easier to remember it in determinant form,

2 fxx fxy
fxx fyy − fxy =
fyx fyy

Example 1.8.6 a) Find all the local maxima, local minima, and saddle points of the
functions
f (x, y) = x3 + y 3 + 3x2 − 3y 2 − 8

b) Find the absolute maximum and minimum values of f (x, y) = x2 + xy + y2 − 3x + 3y

on the region the triangular region cut from the rst quadrant by the line x + y = 4.

1.9 Lagrange Multipliers

Suppose that f (x, y, z) and g(x, y, z) are two dierentiable functions, to nd the local
maximum and minimum values of f (x, y, z) subject to the constraint g(x, y, z) = 0 is
equivalent to nd the values of x, y, z that satisfy the equations:

∇f = λ∇g,
g(x, y, z) = 0.

for some scalar λ, called a Lagrange multiplier.

F. Farah 1. Multi-variable functions

1.9.1 Lagrange multipliers with two constraints

More generally, suppose that f (x, y, z), g1 (x, y, z) and g2 (x, y, z) are dierentiable func-
tions, to nd the local maximum and minimum values of f (x, y, z) subject to the con-
straints g1 (x, y, z) = 0 and g2 (x, y, z) = 0 is equivalent to nd the values of x, y, z that
satisfy the equations: 
 ∇f = λ∇g1 + µ∇g2 ,
g1 (x, y, z) = 0
g2 (x, y, z) = 0.


for some scalars λ and µ.

Example 1.9.1 1. Find the minimum sum of two positive numbers whose product is
16.

2. Find the maximum and minimum values of the function f (x, y) = 3x + 4y on the
circle x2 + y2 = 1.
3. Find the closest and farthest points to A(0, 1, 0) that are on the plane x + z = 1 and
on the surface 3x2 + (y − 1)2 + (z − 1)2 = 25.
F. Farah 19

Exercises
y 4 − x4
Question 1. Given the function f (x, y) =
y 3 − yx2

1. Specify the domain and range of f .

2. Find lim(x,y)→(2,2) f (x, y) and study the continuity of f at (2, 2).
3. Describe the level curves of f and sketch the one that passes through the point
(0, 1).

4. Find the equation of the tangent plane and normal line over the surface
z = f (x, y) at the point (2, 1).

5. Calculate directional derivative of f at the point (2, 1) in the direction of the vector
v = i + j.

Question 2. In which directions f (x, y, z) = 2zx2 + y3 increases most rapidly and has
no change at the point A = (1, 1, −1). Find the directional derivatives of f in each of the
two directions found.

Question 3.

(a) Find all the local maxima, local minima, and saddle points of the function
f (x, y) = x3 + y 3 − 3x2 − 18y 2 + 81y + 7.

(b) The equation xyz + z 3 = 6 implicitly denes z as a function of x and y.

∂z
Find the value of at the point (−1, 1, 2).
∂x

Question 4. Find the linearization L(x, y) of

1
f (x, y) = sin(x2 + y) +
x3
at the point (1, 0). Then nd an upper bound for the error approximating f (x, y) by
L(x, y) in the rectangle |x − 1| 6 0.1 and |y| 6 0.1.

Question 5. Minimize and maximize the distant from the origin to the curve of
intersection of the paraboloid y 2 = x2 + z 2 and the plane x − 2y − 3 = 0.
F. Farah 1. Multi-variable functions

Question 6. Use lagrange multipliers to nd the points of intersection of the parabolic
cylinder y = x2 − 1 and the plane y + z + 1 = 0 that are closest and farthest from the
origin.

Question 7. Let C be the curve of intersection of the cylinder x2 + y 2 = 1 and the

plane x + y + z = 1. Find the highest and lowest points on the curve, i.e. maximize and
minimize the function f (x, y, z) = z over C .

Question 8. Find the absolute extrema of the function f (x, y) = 4x2 + y2 − 4xy on the
plane region bounded by the curve y = x2 and the line y = 4.

Question 9. Given the function f (x, y) = x2 + y2 − 4x − 2y. Determine the absolute

extreme values of f over the region in the xy−plane bounded by the x−axis, y−axis and
the lines x + y = 1.

Question 10. Consider the function

4
f (x, y) = x3 − 4xy + 2y 2 .
3
Find the absolute maximum and minimum of f (x, y) on the triangle bounded by the
x-axis and the lines x = 3 and x = 3y .