[Math] Find all stationary points of multivariable function

multivariable-calculustrigonometry

$$f(x,y) = \left(y^2 + y -16\right)\sin(x)$$

Find ALL stationary points of $f$ and classify each as local max, min or saddle point.

My working so far is

  • $f_x = \left(y^2 + y -16\right)\cos x$
  • $f_y = \left(2y + 1\right)\sin x$
  • $f_{xx} = -\left(y^2 + y – 16\right)\sin x$
  • $f_{yy}= 2\sin x$
  • $f_{xy}= \left(2y + 1\right)\cos x$

For stationary points I need $f_x=0$ and $f_y=0$

For $\left(2y+1\right)\sin(x) = 0$ need either $y=-\dfrac{1}{2}$ or $x=0$. Now have I made a mistake somewhere because when I put into the other equation to find stationary points when $x = 0$, $y = \dfrac{-1 \pm \sqrt{65}}{2}$
which is fine but when I use $y=-\dfrac{1}{2}$ there is no $x$ value

Thanks in advance!

Best Answer

If there are no restrictions on x,

from $f_x=0$ you get that $y=(-1\pm \sqrt{65})/2$ or $x=(2n+1)\frac{\pi}{2}$, where n is any integer, and

from $f_y=0$ you get that $y=-1/2$ or $x=n\pi$, where n is any integer.

Therefore the stationary points are of the form $(n\pi, \frac{-1\pm\sqrt{65}}{2})$ and $((2n+1)\frac{\pi}{2}, -\frac{1}{2}).$

Now you need to test each of these points using the Second Partials Test.

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