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Exercise 859Calculus › Multivariable calculus › Optimisation in several variablesL1Added 3 Nov 2026

Two critical points and their nature

#critical points#saddle#maximum

Statement

Find and classify the critical points of f(x,y)=4x+2y−x2−y2−2x3f(x,y)=4x+2y-x^2-y^2-2x^3.

Hint

Solve fx=4−2x−6x2=0f_x=4-2x-6x^2=0, fy=2−2y=0f_y=2-2y=0; then use the Hessian at each point.

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Solution

Critical points. fy=0⇒y=1f_y=0\Rightarrow y=1. 4−2x−6x2=0⇒3x2+x−2=0⇒x=−14-2x-6x^2=0\Rightarrow 3x^2+x-2=0\Rightarrow x=-1 or x=2/3x=2/3. Points: A=(−1,1)A=(-1,1), B=(2/3,1)B=(2/3,1).

Second derivatives. fxx=−2−12xf_{xx}=-2-12x, fxy=0f_{xy}=0, fyy=−2f_{yy}=-2.

At AA. H=(1000−2)H=\begin{pmatrix}10&0\\0&-2\end{pmatrix}, det⁡=−20<0\det=-20<0: saddle.

At BB. H=(−1000−2)H=\begin{pmatrix}-10&0\\0&-2\end{pmatrix}, det⁡=20>0\det=20>0 and fxx<0f_{xx}<0: local maximum. f(B)=71/27f(B)=71/27.

Conclusion. Saddle at (−1,1)(-1,1), local maximum at (2/3,1)(2/3,1) with value 71/2771/27.