1
$\begingroup$

Suppose we are looking at the following:

$ \text{minimize} \ f(x) = x^2+y^2 \\ \text{subject to} \ \ x+y-2 \geq 0$

Would there only be one Lagrange multiplier corresponding to the single constraint? Or would there be two Lagrange multipliers corresponding to $x$ and $y$?

  • 0
    In general, each constraint gives you one Lagrange multiplier, no matter how many variables there are.2012-05-09

1 Answers 1

3

The number of Lagrange multipliers only depends on the number of constraints you have and not on the number of unknowns. For this problem, you can get the solution graphically as shown below.enter image description here

  • 0
    The graph adds a great deal to the insight the OP will obtain from the answer.2012-05-10