Exercise · ZW-LAGRANGE-MULTIPLIERS-004 · ★☆☆ Basic

Find the maximum value of \(f(x,y)=xy\) on the line \(2x+y=12\).

Choose one option.

Show answer
  • D. 18

Explanation

From \(y=2\lambda\) and \(x=\lambda\) we get \(y=2x\); with \(2x+y=12\) this gives \(x=3\), \(y=6\) and \(f=18\).

Study Multivariable calculus in ZWMath →

Review the concept: Lagrange multipliers

The method of Lagrange multipliers finds the extrema of a function \(f\) on the curve \(g=k\) among the points where the gradient of \(f\) is a multiple \(\lambda\) of the gradient of \(g\).

\[\nabla f=\lambda\,\nabla g,\qquad g=k\]

More practice problems: lagrange multipliers

← ZW-LAGRANGE-MULTIPLIERS-003 ZW-LAGRANGE-MULTIPLIERS-005 →