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Let f: R^2 rightarrow R be a \"smooth\" function and X R^2. If X is a compact su

ID: 3402177 • Letter: L

Question

Let f: R^2 rightarrow R be a "smooth" function and X R^2. If X is a compact subset of R^2 and the gradient of f is never equal to the zero vector on X, what can yo say about the possible maximizes of f (does f have a maximize, if it does where can it be, etc.) Explain. If X is a compact subset of R^2, the gradient of f is equal to the zero vector at (1,1), and (1,1) is an interior point of X, what can you say about the possible maximizes of f (does f have a maximize, if it does where can it be, etc.). Explain. If X is an open subset of R^2 and the gradient of f is never equal to the zero vector on X, what can you say about the possible maximizes of f (does f have a maximize, if it does where can it be, etc.). Explain.

Explanation / Answer

It is assumed that "maximizer of f" is a point where f attains a local maximum

(a) If X is compact, and as f is continuous (f is given to be smooth) , f will have a maximizer.

(b) (1,1) is definitely a critical point of f, but it could be a maximizer or minimizer.

(c) In this case, f does not have any maximizer as at such a point , the gradient must be zero