1.

Show that the maximum value of x + (1/x) is less than its minimum value. 

Answer»

Let y = x + (1/x)

∴ dy/dx = 1 - (1/x2)

or, dy/dx = ((x2 - 1)/x2)

For maximum or minimum value of y, dy/dx = 0

∴ ((1 - x2)/x2) = 0 

= 1 - x2 = 0

x = 1,-1

Again, d2y/dx2 = 2/x3

At, x = 1, d2y/dx2 = 2 > 0

So, y has minimum value at x = 1

and minimum value of y = x + (1/x) = 1 + (1/1) = 2

and at, x = -1,

d2y/dx2 = 2/(-1)3 = -2 < 0

So, y has maximum value at x = -1 

and maximum value of y = -1 + (1/-1) = -2

So, minimum value of given function is greater than maximum value.



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