We have
f(x,y)=x4+y4−4xy+2fx(x,y)fy(x,y)=4x3−4y=4y3−4xfxx(x,y)fyy(x,y)fxy(x,y)=12x2=12y2=−4
At a critical point
fx(x,y)=fy(x,y)=0⟺y=x3 and x=y3⟺x=x9 and y=x3⟺x(x8−1)=0, y=x3⟺(x,y)=(0,0) or (1,1) or (−1,−1)
Here is a table giving the classification of each of the three critical
points.
pointcritical(0,0)(1,1)(−1,−1)fxxfyy−fxy20×0−(−4)2<012×12−(−4)2>012×12−(−4)2>0fxx1212typesaddle pointlocal minlocal min