# Math Help - Find the critical point(s) of f(x,y) = x + y^2 - e^x. Decide which are extreme points

1. ## Find the critical point(s) of f(x,y) = x + y^2 - e^x. Decide which are extreme points

Find the critical point(s) of f(x,y) = x + y^2 - e^x. Decide which are extreme points and which are saddle points.

I got to here:
Px = 1 -e^x
Py = 2y

But now I'm stuck.

I know I'm supposed to use this rule:

d=fxxfyy-(fxy)^2

If d>0:
fxx(a,b)>0, then f(a, b) is a rel min
fxx(a,b)<0, then f(a,b) is a rel. max

If d<0, it's a saddle point.

2. Originally Posted by ewkimchi
Find the critical point(s) of f(x,y) = x + y^2 - e^x. Decide which are extreme points and which are saddle points.

I got to here:
Px = 1 -e^x
Py = 2y

But now I'm stuck.
At least on this one you have made an effort! The whole point of taking partial derivatives is that the critical points occur where the derivatives are 0!

Solve $1- e^x= 0$ and 2y= 0.

I know I'm supposed to use this rule:

d=fxxfyy-(fxy)^2

If d>0:
fxx(a,b)>0, then f(a, b) is a rel min
fxx(a,b)<0, then f(a,b) is a rel. max
Yes, with a and b the values you got by solving those equations.

If d<0, it's a saddle point.

3. Originally Posted by HallsofIvy
At least on this one you have made an effort! The whole point of taking partial derivatives is that the critical points occur where the derivatives are 0!

[snip]
I hope that ! is an exclamation mark

For the slow minded:

Spoiler:
0! = 1

4. ## Thanks, but I what if fxx=0?

Which in this case, it does

5. Originally Posted by mr fantastic
I hope that ! is an exclamation mark

For the slow minded:

Spoiler:
0! = 1
+1