Learning objectives

• Describe the behavior of a function of 1 or 2 variables near a critical point
• Find critical points on a graph or contour diagram
• Distinguish between local and global maxima
• Use iterative methods to search for maxima and minima of a function

Before class

• Read Hughes-Hallett 4.1, 4.3, 9.5
• Ponder problems 4.1. 1-10, 20; 4.3. 3-8, 32, 37; 9.5. 1-8, 16, 18.

In class

• Practice from the textbook; check answers by graphing
• Discuss local behavior of a function
• Consult main points of the lesson
  • Optimize using R for iterations (mosaic’s mGradSearch)
  • fetchData(“mGradSearch.R”)
  • f=rFun(~x&y)
  • mGradSearch(f)