Exercise · ZW-LAGRANGE-MULTIPLIERS-007 · ★★☆ Intermediate

Find the minimum value of \(f(x,y)=x+2y\) on the circle \(x^2+y^2=5\).

Choose one option.

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  • C. -5

Explanation

From \(1=2\lambda x\), \(2=2\lambda y\) we get \(y=2x\) and \(5x^2=5\). The points \((1,2)\) and \((-1,-2)\) give \(5\) and \(-5\); the minimum is \(-5\).

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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

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