Absolute extrema of a function with two constraints

 

Scroll down to the bottom to view the interactive graph.

 

This graph shows the constaint set \[g(x,y,z) = x^2+z^2-2 = 0 \quad \text{and} \quad h(x,y,z) = y - z = 0\] as a blue curve. The objective is to find the maximum and minimum of \[f(x,y,z) = -2x+3y-5z\] on the constraint set by looking at the level surface of \(f(x,y,z)\).

 

To view the interactive graph:

  1. Make sure you have the latest version of Java 7 installed in your computer. Tablets and smartphones are not supported.
  2. Download this file, lagrange2constraints.ggb.
  3. Click here to open GeoGebra.
  4. After you open GeoGebra, click "File" in the toolbar, then click "Open".
  5. Choose the .ggb file you just downloaded and click the "Open" button.
  6. Now you should be able to view the graph inside GeoGebra.

To rotate the graph, right click and drag.

Joseph Lo