0644K

BUSINESS
MATHEMATICS

Week 8
Multivariable Calculus

8.1. PARTIAL DERIVATIVES

Example 1 Partial
Derivatives

If f(x, y) = x3y2 + xy2, find fx(x, y)

and fy(x, y). Also, find fx(2, 3) and
fy(2, 3).
Solution : The partial derivatives are :
fx(x, y) = 3x2y2 + y2 = 3(2)2 + (3) 2 =
12 + 9 = 21
fy(x, y) = x3(2y) + x(2y) = 2x3y +
2xy

8.2. APPLICATIONS OF PARTIAL

DERIVATIVES

Interpretation of
rate of change:
z
is the rate of change of z with respect to x when y is held fixed.
x
z
is the rate of change of z with respect to y when x is held fixed.
y
Haeusler, Paul, & Wood
(2011)

Example 2 Application of Partial

Derivatives

A company manufactures two types of

product, X and Y. The joint-cost function for
f x, y and
3x 2 y yxyunits
5 x 8per
y 4000
producing cx units
week is

Determine the marginal costs c/x and

c/y when x = 20 and y = 10.
Solution :
= 6xy + 5 + y = 6(20)(10) + 5 +
c/x
10 = 1215
2
2
20
3x
c/
=
+ y + 8 = 3( ) + 10 + 8
y
= 1218
2

8.3. HIGHER ORDER PARTIAL

DERIVATIVES

Higher Order Partial

Derivatives
We obtain second-order partial
derivatives
( f x ) x of
andf as
f xy means ( f x ) y
f yx means ( f y ) x and f yy means ( f y ) y
Example 3 Second Order Partial
Derivatives

Find the four second-order partial

derivatives
f x, y x 3 y 2of
xy 2 .

Solution
f x x, y 3 x 2 y 2 y 2

f xx x, y 6 xy 2 and f xy x, y 3 x 2 y 2 y
f y x, y 6 x 2 y 2 xy
f yy x, y 6 x 2 2x and f yx x, y 12 xy 2 y

Maxima and Minima for

Functions of Two Variables
Rule 1 : Relative maximum or
f x x, when
y 0
minimum

f y x, y 0
Rule 2 : Second-Derivative Test for
Functions of Two Variables
Let D be the function defined by
2
D x, y f xx x, y f yy x, y f xy x, y
Haeusler, Paul, & Wood (2011)

1. If D(a, b) > 0 and fxx(a, b) < 0, relative

maximum at (a, b);
2. If D(a, b) > 0 and fxx(a, b) > 0, relative
minimum at (a, b);
3. If D(a, b) < 0, then f has a saddle point
at (a, b);
Paul,=
& 0,
Wood
4. IfHaeusler,
D(a, b)
no(2011)
conclusion.

Example 4 Finding Critical

Points

Find the critical points of the following

2
2

f
x
,
y

2
x

y
2 xy 5 x 3 y 1
functions
Solution:
f x x, y 4 x 2 y 5 0 and f y x, y 2 x 2 y 3 0,

We get x 1
1
y

Haeusler, Paul, & Wood (2011)

Example 5 Applying the

Second-Derivative Test

Examine f(x,y) = x3 + y3 xy for

relative maxima or minima by using
the second derivative test.
Solution: We find critical points,

f x x, y 3 x 2 y 0 and f y x, y 3 y 2 x 0
which gives (0, 0) and (1/3, 1/3).
Thus,D x, y 6 x 6 y 1 2 36 xy 1
Haeusler, Paul, & Wood (2011)

 D(0, 0) < 0 no relative extremum at (0,

0).
D(1/3,1/3)>0 and fxx(1/3,1/3)>0 relative
minimum at (1/3,1/3)
3
Value
1 1of the1 function
1 3 is 1 1
1

f 3 , 3 3 3 3 3 27

Haeusler, Paul, & Wood (2011)

8.4. LAGRANGE
MULTIPLIER

Lagrange Multiplier

Lagrange multipliers allow us to obtain critical

points.
The number 0 is called a Lagrange multiplier.

Example 6 Method of Lagrange Multipliers

Find the critical points for z = f(x,y) = 3x

y + 6, subject to the constraint x2 + y2 = 4.
Solution
g x, y x 2 y 2 4 0
Constraint :
Construct the function
2
2

F x, y , f x, y g x, y 3 x y 6 x y 4
Haeusler, Paul, & Wood (2011)

 SettingFx Fy F 0
equations
3 2 xto
be
0

, we solve the

1 2 y 0
x2 y2 4 0
3
1
10
x
,y
and
2
2
4
Haeusler, Paul, & wood (2011)

Reference
Haeussler, E.F., Paul, R. S. & Wood, R. J.
(2011)
Introductory Mathematical Analysis for
Business, Economics, and the Life and
Social
Sciences. 13th Edition. Pearson
Prentice
Hall. Boston. ISBN: 9780321643889.

Thank You