Find the points on the surface y2 = 64 + xz that are closest to the origin.
(x, y, z) = ( ) (smaller y-value)
(x, y, z) = ( ) (larger y-value)
Solution:
The distance between an arbitrary point on the surface and the origin is
d(x, y, z) = √x2 + y2 + z2
Here we have to minimize x2 + y2 + z2 to y2 = 64 + xz, it's easy to show that √f(x) and f(x) share the same critical points.
We can consider augmented distance function, D(x,y,z) = √x2 + y2 + z2
Using Lagrange multipliers,
L(x, y, z, λ) = x2 + y2 + z2 + λ(y2 - 64 - xz)
We have partial derivatives
Lx = 2x - λz
Ly = 2y + 2yλ
Lz = 2z - λx
Lλ = y2 - 64 - xz
Set each partial derivative to zero to find critical points.
Lᵧ = 0
⇒ 2y + 2yλ = 0
⇒ 2y( 1 + λ) = 0
y = 0 and λ = -1
Put λ = -1 in Lx and Lz
Lx = 0
⇒ 2x - λz = 0
⇒ 2x + z = 0 --- (1)
Lz = 0
⇒ 2z - λx = 0
⇒ 2z + x = 0 --- (2)
Solving (1) and (2)
We get, x = 0 and z = 0
Put the values of x and z in y2 = 64 + xz
This means y2 = 64
y = ±8
Therefore, the points on the surface closest to the origin are (0, ±8, 0).
Find the points on the surface y2 = 64 + xz that are closest to the origin.
Summary:
The points on the surface y2 = 64 + xz that are closest to the origin are (0, ±8, 0).
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