How to study the critical points of a $2$-variable function?












0












$begingroup$


I am revising some past exam questions and there is one that states:




Study the critical points of the function:
$$f(x,y)=x^2+y^2-x^4-y^4-2x^2y^2.$$




According to my professor, this is what I have to do:




  1. Find the gradient, which is $$nabla f(x,y)=begin{bmatrix} 2x-4x^3-4xy^2 \ 2y-4y^3-4x^2y end{bmatrix}.$$


  2. Find the Hessian, using partial derivatives, which is
    begin{align*}
    f_{xx}(x,y) &= 2-12x^2-4y \
    f_{xy}(x,y) &= -8xy \
    f_{yx}(x,y) &= -8xy \
    f_{yy}(x,y) &= 2-12y^2-4x^2.
    end{align*}



And until here it's all good. However, what confuses me is the next step.



We need to search at first for $Cf$, the set of critical points of $f(x,y)$, so we have to impose $nabla f(x,y) = 0$, namely
$$2x(1-2x^2-2y^2)=0 quad text{and} quad 2y(1-2x^2-2y^2)=0.$$
And here I'm lost. On the answer sheet it states:
$$C*f*={(x,y)inmathbb{R}^2 : x^2+y^2=1/2} cup {(0,0)}.$$
What exactly does this property above mean? Where is the $x^2+y^2=1/2$ coming from and what does $cup {(0,0)}$ mean? Is $cup {(0,0)}$ the critical points, which are $0$?



Please explain in the clearest and simpelst way possible!



Note: this is the first part of the full question that I am interested in. As soon as I understand this, I will proceed with answering the full question.



Thanks, guys!










share|cite|improve this question











$endgroup$

















    0












    $begingroup$


    I am revising some past exam questions and there is one that states:




    Study the critical points of the function:
    $$f(x,y)=x^2+y^2-x^4-y^4-2x^2y^2.$$




    According to my professor, this is what I have to do:




    1. Find the gradient, which is $$nabla f(x,y)=begin{bmatrix} 2x-4x^3-4xy^2 \ 2y-4y^3-4x^2y end{bmatrix}.$$


    2. Find the Hessian, using partial derivatives, which is
      begin{align*}
      f_{xx}(x,y) &= 2-12x^2-4y \
      f_{xy}(x,y) &= -8xy \
      f_{yx}(x,y) &= -8xy \
      f_{yy}(x,y) &= 2-12y^2-4x^2.
      end{align*}



    And until here it's all good. However, what confuses me is the next step.



    We need to search at first for $Cf$, the set of critical points of $f(x,y)$, so we have to impose $nabla f(x,y) = 0$, namely
    $$2x(1-2x^2-2y^2)=0 quad text{and} quad 2y(1-2x^2-2y^2)=0.$$
    And here I'm lost. On the answer sheet it states:
    $$C*f*={(x,y)inmathbb{R}^2 : x^2+y^2=1/2} cup {(0,0)}.$$
    What exactly does this property above mean? Where is the $x^2+y^2=1/2$ coming from and what does $cup {(0,0)}$ mean? Is $cup {(0,0)}$ the critical points, which are $0$?



    Please explain in the clearest and simpelst way possible!



    Note: this is the first part of the full question that I am interested in. As soon as I understand this, I will proceed with answering the full question.



    Thanks, guys!










    share|cite|improve this question











    $endgroup$















      0












      0








      0





      $begingroup$


      I am revising some past exam questions and there is one that states:




      Study the critical points of the function:
      $$f(x,y)=x^2+y^2-x^4-y^4-2x^2y^2.$$




      According to my professor, this is what I have to do:




      1. Find the gradient, which is $$nabla f(x,y)=begin{bmatrix} 2x-4x^3-4xy^2 \ 2y-4y^3-4x^2y end{bmatrix}.$$


      2. Find the Hessian, using partial derivatives, which is
        begin{align*}
        f_{xx}(x,y) &= 2-12x^2-4y \
        f_{xy}(x,y) &= -8xy \
        f_{yx}(x,y) &= -8xy \
        f_{yy}(x,y) &= 2-12y^2-4x^2.
        end{align*}



      And until here it's all good. However, what confuses me is the next step.



      We need to search at first for $Cf$, the set of critical points of $f(x,y)$, so we have to impose $nabla f(x,y) = 0$, namely
      $$2x(1-2x^2-2y^2)=0 quad text{and} quad 2y(1-2x^2-2y^2)=0.$$
      And here I'm lost. On the answer sheet it states:
      $$C*f*={(x,y)inmathbb{R}^2 : x^2+y^2=1/2} cup {(0,0)}.$$
      What exactly does this property above mean? Where is the $x^2+y^2=1/2$ coming from and what does $cup {(0,0)}$ mean? Is $cup {(0,0)}$ the critical points, which are $0$?



      Please explain in the clearest and simpelst way possible!



      Note: this is the first part of the full question that I am interested in. As soon as I understand this, I will proceed with answering the full question.



      Thanks, guys!










      share|cite|improve this question











      $endgroup$




      I am revising some past exam questions and there is one that states:




      Study the critical points of the function:
      $$f(x,y)=x^2+y^2-x^4-y^4-2x^2y^2.$$




      According to my professor, this is what I have to do:




      1. Find the gradient, which is $$nabla f(x,y)=begin{bmatrix} 2x-4x^3-4xy^2 \ 2y-4y^3-4x^2y end{bmatrix}.$$


      2. Find the Hessian, using partial derivatives, which is
        begin{align*}
        f_{xx}(x,y) &= 2-12x^2-4y \
        f_{xy}(x,y) &= -8xy \
        f_{yx}(x,y) &= -8xy \
        f_{yy}(x,y) &= 2-12y^2-4x^2.
        end{align*}



      And until here it's all good. However, what confuses me is the next step.



      We need to search at first for $Cf$, the set of critical points of $f(x,y)$, so we have to impose $nabla f(x,y) = 0$, namely
      $$2x(1-2x^2-2y^2)=0 quad text{and} quad 2y(1-2x^2-2y^2)=0.$$
      And here I'm lost. On the answer sheet it states:
      $$C*f*={(x,y)inmathbb{R}^2 : x^2+y^2=1/2} cup {(0,0)}.$$
      What exactly does this property above mean? Where is the $x^2+y^2=1/2$ coming from and what does $cup {(0,0)}$ mean? Is $cup {(0,0)}$ the critical points, which are $0$?



      Please explain in the clearest and simpelst way possible!



      Note: this is the first part of the full question that I am interested in. As soon as I understand this, I will proceed with answering the full question.



      Thanks, guys!







      multivariable-calculus derivatives maxima-minima hessian-matrix






      share|cite|improve this question















      share|cite|improve this question













      share|cite|improve this question




      share|cite|improve this question








      edited Dec 8 '18 at 14:05









      Rócherz

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      2,7762721










      asked Dec 8 '18 at 13:55









      BM97BM97

      758




      758






















          1 Answer
          1






          active

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          1












          $begingroup$

          $cup$ means union.



          From $$2x(1-2x^2-2y^2)=0 iff 2x=0 text{ or } 1-2x^2-2y^2=0$$
          $$2y(1-2x^2-2y^2)=0 iff 2y=0 text{ or } 1-2x^2-2y^2=0$$



          It is possible that $1-2x^2-2y^2=0 iff x^2+y^2 = frac12$.



          Suppose not, then we must have $x=y=0$.






          share|cite|improve this answer









          $endgroup$













          • $begingroup$
            Thanks for the explanation ! So this means that I the U(0,0) is coming from the 2x=0 and the 2y=0, and that the x^2+y^2=1/2 is coming from the 1-2x^2-2y^2, just by re-arranging the equation ? I'm sorry for the too many questions, I have dyscalculia and I need to get even the simplest things straight!
            $endgroup$
            – BM97
            Dec 8 '18 at 14:10










          • $begingroup$
            Yes, they come from those places that you mentioned.
            $endgroup$
            – Siong Thye Goh
            Dec 8 '18 at 14:12










          • $begingroup$
            Thank you !!! You are great!
            $endgroup$
            – BM97
            Dec 8 '18 at 14:13










          • $begingroup$
            May i ask you one last thing? What we wrote before implies that that the set of critical points of f(x, y) is given by the origin and the circle or radius √1/2 centered at the origin. When it says to study the hessian at the origin, the matrix Hf(0,0) is a 2x2 matrix , with on top 2,0 and on botthom 0,2.... may i ask you where the 2's are coming from or is it a general formula?
            $endgroup$
            – BM97
            Dec 8 '18 at 14:41










          • $begingroup$
            The top $2$ at the bottom corresponds to computing $f_{xx}$ and evaluate it at $(0,0)$. The bottom $2$ corresponds to computing $f_{yy}$ and evaluate it at $(0,0)$.
            $endgroup$
            – Siong Thye Goh
            Dec 8 '18 at 14:43











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          1 Answer
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          1 Answer
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          active

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          active

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          1












          $begingroup$

          $cup$ means union.



          From $$2x(1-2x^2-2y^2)=0 iff 2x=0 text{ or } 1-2x^2-2y^2=0$$
          $$2y(1-2x^2-2y^2)=0 iff 2y=0 text{ or } 1-2x^2-2y^2=0$$



          It is possible that $1-2x^2-2y^2=0 iff x^2+y^2 = frac12$.



          Suppose not, then we must have $x=y=0$.






          share|cite|improve this answer









          $endgroup$













          • $begingroup$
            Thanks for the explanation ! So this means that I the U(0,0) is coming from the 2x=0 and the 2y=0, and that the x^2+y^2=1/2 is coming from the 1-2x^2-2y^2, just by re-arranging the equation ? I'm sorry for the too many questions, I have dyscalculia and I need to get even the simplest things straight!
            $endgroup$
            – BM97
            Dec 8 '18 at 14:10










          • $begingroup$
            Yes, they come from those places that you mentioned.
            $endgroup$
            – Siong Thye Goh
            Dec 8 '18 at 14:12










          • $begingroup$
            Thank you !!! You are great!
            $endgroup$
            – BM97
            Dec 8 '18 at 14:13










          • $begingroup$
            May i ask you one last thing? What we wrote before implies that that the set of critical points of f(x, y) is given by the origin and the circle or radius √1/2 centered at the origin. When it says to study the hessian at the origin, the matrix Hf(0,0) is a 2x2 matrix , with on top 2,0 and on botthom 0,2.... may i ask you where the 2's are coming from or is it a general formula?
            $endgroup$
            – BM97
            Dec 8 '18 at 14:41










          • $begingroup$
            The top $2$ at the bottom corresponds to computing $f_{xx}$ and evaluate it at $(0,0)$. The bottom $2$ corresponds to computing $f_{yy}$ and evaluate it at $(0,0)$.
            $endgroup$
            – Siong Thye Goh
            Dec 8 '18 at 14:43
















          1












          $begingroup$

          $cup$ means union.



          From $$2x(1-2x^2-2y^2)=0 iff 2x=0 text{ or } 1-2x^2-2y^2=0$$
          $$2y(1-2x^2-2y^2)=0 iff 2y=0 text{ or } 1-2x^2-2y^2=0$$



          It is possible that $1-2x^2-2y^2=0 iff x^2+y^2 = frac12$.



          Suppose not, then we must have $x=y=0$.






          share|cite|improve this answer









          $endgroup$













          • $begingroup$
            Thanks for the explanation ! So this means that I the U(0,0) is coming from the 2x=0 and the 2y=0, and that the x^2+y^2=1/2 is coming from the 1-2x^2-2y^2, just by re-arranging the equation ? I'm sorry for the too many questions, I have dyscalculia and I need to get even the simplest things straight!
            $endgroup$
            – BM97
            Dec 8 '18 at 14:10










          • $begingroup$
            Yes, they come from those places that you mentioned.
            $endgroup$
            – Siong Thye Goh
            Dec 8 '18 at 14:12










          • $begingroup$
            Thank you !!! You are great!
            $endgroup$
            – BM97
            Dec 8 '18 at 14:13










          • $begingroup$
            May i ask you one last thing? What we wrote before implies that that the set of critical points of f(x, y) is given by the origin and the circle or radius √1/2 centered at the origin. When it says to study the hessian at the origin, the matrix Hf(0,0) is a 2x2 matrix , with on top 2,0 and on botthom 0,2.... may i ask you where the 2's are coming from or is it a general formula?
            $endgroup$
            – BM97
            Dec 8 '18 at 14:41










          • $begingroup$
            The top $2$ at the bottom corresponds to computing $f_{xx}$ and evaluate it at $(0,0)$. The bottom $2$ corresponds to computing $f_{yy}$ and evaluate it at $(0,0)$.
            $endgroup$
            – Siong Thye Goh
            Dec 8 '18 at 14:43














          1












          1








          1





          $begingroup$

          $cup$ means union.



          From $$2x(1-2x^2-2y^2)=0 iff 2x=0 text{ or } 1-2x^2-2y^2=0$$
          $$2y(1-2x^2-2y^2)=0 iff 2y=0 text{ or } 1-2x^2-2y^2=0$$



          It is possible that $1-2x^2-2y^2=0 iff x^2+y^2 = frac12$.



          Suppose not, then we must have $x=y=0$.






          share|cite|improve this answer









          $endgroup$



          $cup$ means union.



          From $$2x(1-2x^2-2y^2)=0 iff 2x=0 text{ or } 1-2x^2-2y^2=0$$
          $$2y(1-2x^2-2y^2)=0 iff 2y=0 text{ or } 1-2x^2-2y^2=0$$



          It is possible that $1-2x^2-2y^2=0 iff x^2+y^2 = frac12$.



          Suppose not, then we must have $x=y=0$.







          share|cite|improve this answer












          share|cite|improve this answer



          share|cite|improve this answer










          answered Dec 8 '18 at 13:59









          Siong Thye GohSiong Thye Goh

          101k1466117




          101k1466117












          • $begingroup$
            Thanks for the explanation ! So this means that I the U(0,0) is coming from the 2x=0 and the 2y=0, and that the x^2+y^2=1/2 is coming from the 1-2x^2-2y^2, just by re-arranging the equation ? I'm sorry for the too many questions, I have dyscalculia and I need to get even the simplest things straight!
            $endgroup$
            – BM97
            Dec 8 '18 at 14:10










          • $begingroup$
            Yes, they come from those places that you mentioned.
            $endgroup$
            – Siong Thye Goh
            Dec 8 '18 at 14:12










          • $begingroup$
            Thank you !!! You are great!
            $endgroup$
            – BM97
            Dec 8 '18 at 14:13










          • $begingroup$
            May i ask you one last thing? What we wrote before implies that that the set of critical points of f(x, y) is given by the origin and the circle or radius √1/2 centered at the origin. When it says to study the hessian at the origin, the matrix Hf(0,0) is a 2x2 matrix , with on top 2,0 and on botthom 0,2.... may i ask you where the 2's are coming from or is it a general formula?
            $endgroup$
            – BM97
            Dec 8 '18 at 14:41










          • $begingroup$
            The top $2$ at the bottom corresponds to computing $f_{xx}$ and evaluate it at $(0,0)$. The bottom $2$ corresponds to computing $f_{yy}$ and evaluate it at $(0,0)$.
            $endgroup$
            – Siong Thye Goh
            Dec 8 '18 at 14:43


















          • $begingroup$
            Thanks for the explanation ! So this means that I the U(0,0) is coming from the 2x=0 and the 2y=0, and that the x^2+y^2=1/2 is coming from the 1-2x^2-2y^2, just by re-arranging the equation ? I'm sorry for the too many questions, I have dyscalculia and I need to get even the simplest things straight!
            $endgroup$
            – BM97
            Dec 8 '18 at 14:10










          • $begingroup$
            Yes, they come from those places that you mentioned.
            $endgroup$
            – Siong Thye Goh
            Dec 8 '18 at 14:12










          • $begingroup$
            Thank you !!! You are great!
            $endgroup$
            – BM97
            Dec 8 '18 at 14:13










          • $begingroup$
            May i ask you one last thing? What we wrote before implies that that the set of critical points of f(x, y) is given by the origin and the circle or radius √1/2 centered at the origin. When it says to study the hessian at the origin, the matrix Hf(0,0) is a 2x2 matrix , with on top 2,0 and on botthom 0,2.... may i ask you where the 2's are coming from or is it a general formula?
            $endgroup$
            – BM97
            Dec 8 '18 at 14:41










          • $begingroup$
            The top $2$ at the bottom corresponds to computing $f_{xx}$ and evaluate it at $(0,0)$. The bottom $2$ corresponds to computing $f_{yy}$ and evaluate it at $(0,0)$.
            $endgroup$
            – Siong Thye Goh
            Dec 8 '18 at 14:43
















          $begingroup$
          Thanks for the explanation ! So this means that I the U(0,0) is coming from the 2x=0 and the 2y=0, and that the x^2+y^2=1/2 is coming from the 1-2x^2-2y^2, just by re-arranging the equation ? I'm sorry for the too many questions, I have dyscalculia and I need to get even the simplest things straight!
          $endgroup$
          – BM97
          Dec 8 '18 at 14:10




          $begingroup$
          Thanks for the explanation ! So this means that I the U(0,0) is coming from the 2x=0 and the 2y=0, and that the x^2+y^2=1/2 is coming from the 1-2x^2-2y^2, just by re-arranging the equation ? I'm sorry for the too many questions, I have dyscalculia and I need to get even the simplest things straight!
          $endgroup$
          – BM97
          Dec 8 '18 at 14:10












          $begingroup$
          Yes, they come from those places that you mentioned.
          $endgroup$
          – Siong Thye Goh
          Dec 8 '18 at 14:12




          $begingroup$
          Yes, they come from those places that you mentioned.
          $endgroup$
          – Siong Thye Goh
          Dec 8 '18 at 14:12












          $begingroup$
          Thank you !!! You are great!
          $endgroup$
          – BM97
          Dec 8 '18 at 14:13




          $begingroup$
          Thank you !!! You are great!
          $endgroup$
          – BM97
          Dec 8 '18 at 14:13












          $begingroup$
          May i ask you one last thing? What we wrote before implies that that the set of critical points of f(x, y) is given by the origin and the circle or radius √1/2 centered at the origin. When it says to study the hessian at the origin, the matrix Hf(0,0) is a 2x2 matrix , with on top 2,0 and on botthom 0,2.... may i ask you where the 2's are coming from or is it a general formula?
          $endgroup$
          – BM97
          Dec 8 '18 at 14:41




          $begingroup$
          May i ask you one last thing? What we wrote before implies that that the set of critical points of f(x, y) is given by the origin and the circle or radius √1/2 centered at the origin. When it says to study the hessian at the origin, the matrix Hf(0,0) is a 2x2 matrix , with on top 2,0 and on botthom 0,2.... may i ask you where the 2's are coming from or is it a general formula?
          $endgroup$
          – BM97
          Dec 8 '18 at 14:41












          $begingroup$
          The top $2$ at the bottom corresponds to computing $f_{xx}$ and evaluate it at $(0,0)$. The bottom $2$ corresponds to computing $f_{yy}$ and evaluate it at $(0,0)$.
          $endgroup$
          – Siong Thye Goh
          Dec 8 '18 at 14:43




          $begingroup$
          The top $2$ at the bottom corresponds to computing $f_{xx}$ and evaluate it at $(0,0)$. The bottom $2$ corresponds to computing $f_{yy}$ and evaluate it at $(0,0)$.
          $endgroup$
          – Siong Thye Goh
          Dec 8 '18 at 14:43


















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