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Locate and classify the critical point using the Second Derivative Test

Consider the function f(x)=ln⁡(x)xf(x) = \dfrac{\ln(x)}{x} for x>0x > 0.

Find the critical number of f(x)=ln⁡(x)xf(x) = \dfrac{\ln(x)}{x} for x>0x > 0, and use the Second Derivative Test to determine whether it corresponds to a local maximum or a local minimum. State the location and the type of extremum.

Hint

Compute f′(x)f'(x) using the quotient rule, set it equal to zero to find the critical number, then compute f′′(x)f''(x) and evaluate its sign at that point.

Step-by-step solution

Using the quotient rule, f′(x)=1−ln⁡(x)x2f'(x) = \dfrac{1 - \ln(x)}{x^2}. Setting the numerator equal to zero gives 1−ln⁡(x)=01 - \ln(x) = 0, so ln⁡(x)=1\ln(x) = 1, which means x=ex = e is the only critical number for x>0x>0 (the denominator x2x^2 is never zero or undefined on this domain).

Differentiating f′(x)=1−ln⁡(x)x2f'(x) = \dfrac{1-\ln(x)}{x^2} again with the quotient rule gives f′′(x)=−3+2ln⁡(x)x3f''(x) = \dfrac{-3 + 2\ln(x)}{x^3}. Evaluating at x=ex = e: f′′(e)=−3+2(1)e3=−1e3<0f''(e) = \dfrac{-3 + 2(1)}{e^3} = \dfrac{-1}{e^3} < 0. Since f′′(e)<0f''(e) < 0, the Second Derivative Test confirms x=ex = e is a local maximum, with value f(e)=1ef(e) = \dfrac{1}{e}.

Find the inflection point

Using f′′(x)=−3+2ln⁡(x)x3f''(x) = \dfrac{-3 + 2\ln(x)}{x^3}, find the xx-coordinate of the inflection point of f(x)=ln⁡(x)xf(x) = \dfrac{\ln(x)}{x} for x>0x > 0, and verify that concavity actually changes there.

Hint

Set f′′(x)=0f''(x) = 0, solve for xx, and check the sign of f′′(x)f''(x) on either side of that value to confirm the concavity switches.

Step-by-step solution

Setting f′′(x)=−3+2ln⁡(x)x3=0f''(x) = \dfrac{-3+2\ln(x)}{x^3} = 0 requires the numerator to vanish (the denominator x3x^3 is never zero for x>0x>0), so 2ln⁡(x)=32\ln(x) = 3, giving x=e3/2x = e^{3/2}.

For xx slightly less than e3/2e^{3/2}, ln⁡(x)<3/2\ln(x) < 3/2, so f′′(x)<0f''(x) < 0 (concave down); for xx slightly greater, ln⁡(x)>3/2\ln(x) > 3/2, so f′′(x)>0f''(x) > 0 (concave up). Since concavity changes sign, x=e3/2x = e^{3/2} is indeed an inflection point.

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