[Math] Find the absolute extrema of the function $f(x,y)=x^2 + xy + y^2$ on the closed disk $x^2 + y^2 \leq 1$

maxima-minimamultivariable-calculus

Find the absolute extrema of the function $f(x,y)=x^2 + xy + y^2$ on
the closed disk $x^2 + y^2 \leq 1$

I found $f_x = 2x + y $

$f_y= 2y+x$

Equated them to zero and Solving them gives $x=0 \; \; y=0$

But I am having difficulty finding critical points on the boundary

If I solve for $x \; or \; y$ in the disk equation, I will get $\pm$ values

How can I get the critical points on the boundary ?

Best Answer

$$f(x,y)=x^2+xy+y^2 = \dfrac{1}{2}((x+y)^2+x^2+y^2)\le \dfrac{1}{2}(x^2+y^2+2(x^2+y^2))\le \dfrac{3}{2}$$

The extrema occurs at $(x,y)=(\pm \frac{1}{\sqrt{2}},\pm \frac{1}{\sqrt{2}})$