Problem: Find the maximum value of x+y, given that x2+y2−3y−1=0.
Solution
Solution:
We can rewrite x2+y2−3y−1=0 as x2+(y−23)2=413. We then see that the set of solutions to x2+y2−3y−1=0 is the circle of radius 213 and center (0,23).
This can be written as x=213cos(θ),y=213sin(θ)+23. Thus, x+y=23+213(cos(θ)+sin(θ))=23+2132sin(θ+45∘). This is maximized for θ=45∘ and gives 226+3. (We could also solve this geometrically by noting that if x+y attains a maximum value of s then the line x+y=s is tangent to the circle.)
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Source: MathNet,
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