Exercise · ZW-SECOND-DERIVATIVE-TEST-008 · ★★☆ Intermediate

For \(f(x,y)=x^3+y^3-3xy\), the point \((1,1)\) is critical. What does the test say there?

Choose one option.

Show answer
  • A. Local minimum

Explanation

At \((1,1)\): \(f_{xx}=6\), \(f_{yy}=6\), \(f_{xy}=-3\); \(D=36-9=27>0\) and \(f_{xx}>0\): local minimum. (At \((0,0)\), \(D=-9\): saddle.)

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Review the concept: Second derivative test

The second derivative test classifies a critical point of \(f\) as a minimum, maximum or saddle according to the sign of the discriminant \(D\) and of \(f_{xx}\) at that point.

\[D=f_{xx}f_{yy}-\left(f_{xy}\right)^{2}\]

More practice problems: second derivative test

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