Question Details

The function f(x) = x/logx increases on the interval

Options

A

(0, ∞)

B

(0, e)

C

(e, ∞)

D

None of these

Correct Answer :

(e, ∞)

Solution :

The correct option is (e, ∞).

To find the interval on which the function f(x)=xlogx is increasing, we need to find the interval where its first derivative is positive, i.e., f'(x)>0.

First, note that the function f(x)=xlogx (where logx denotes the natural logarithm, logex) is defined for x>0 and x1 (since log1=0).

Using the quotient rule of differentiation, (uv)'=u'v-uv'v2, let's differentiate f(x) with respect to x:
f'(x)=ddx(x)·logx-x·ddx(logx)(logx)2

Since ddx(x)=1 and ddx(logx)=1x, we have:
f'(x)=1·logx-x·1x(logx)2

Simplifying the numerator:
f'(x)=logx-1(logx)2

For the function f(x) to be increasing, we require f'(x)>0:
logx-1(logx)2>0

Since the denominator (logx)2 is always positive for all x in the domain of f(x) (where x1), the sign of the derivative depends entirely on the numerator:

logx-1>0

Adding 1 to both sides:
logx>1

Taking the exponential of both sides (which is a strictly increasing function and preserves the inequality):
x>e1
x>e

Thus, the function increases on the interval (e,).

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