Maxima-Minima for Two Variables :-

z = f (x, y) where x, y are independent variables while z is

the dependent variable.

z = f(x, y) represent surface in space.

We assume that the surface be smooth, which means

that the first and second order partial derivatives are
continuous. Then a point on the surface is said to be a
stationary point, if z = 0 and z = 0.
y

(Note : maxima or minima occurs at Stationary point)

The solution of these two equations gives the points on

the surface.

Now to test whether these points are maximum or

minimum the second order partial derivative of z w.r.t. x
and w.r.t. y should be determined along with product
derivative.

Let us denote
z
x

and r =

= p and
2z
x 2

z
y

, t=

=q
2z
y 2

, s=

2z
x y

Then, to find whether the points on the surface are maxima or

1

minima proceed to test :

rt s2

Conclusion

>0

<0

Maximum

>0

>0

Minimum

<0

No maximum, no minimum

=0

No conclusion

Points to Remember:
(1) If

z
x

and

z
y

both exist and if there is point on the surface

where there is a maximum or a minimum, then

= 0. But, the converse is not true that is, if

z
x

z
x

= 0,

= 0,
z
y

z
y

= 0,

it does not mean that the point at which this happens is

necessarily a stationary point.
(2) If rt s2 = 0, further we find whether the point is a point
of maximum or a point of minimum.