When and , and there can be neither a maximum nor a minimum at .
When and ; and since , we have the conditions for a maximum value of the function fulfilled at . Substituting in the given function, we get its maximum value equal to .
Illustrative Example 2. Divide into three parts such that their product shall be a maximum.
Solution
Let first part, second part; then third part, and the function to be examined is
First Step.
Solving simultaneously, we get as one pair of values . [1]
Second step.
Third Step.
When and ; and since , it is seen that our product is a maximum when . Therefore the third part is also , and the maximum value of the product is .
EXAMPLES
1. Find the minimum value of .
Ans..
2. Show that is a minimum when , and a maximum when .
3. Show that has neither a maximum nor a minimum.
4. Show that the maximum value of is .
5. Find the greatest rectangular parallelepiped that can be inscribed in an ellipsoid. That is, find the maximum value of (= volume) subject to the condition
Ans.
Hint. Let , and substitute the value of from the equation of the ellipsoid. This gives
where is a function of only two variables.
↑ are not considered, since from the nature of the problem we would then have a minimum.