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MHT CET · Maths · Application of Derivatives

The minimum value of the function \(f(x)=x \log x\) is

  1. A -e
  2. B e
  3. C \(\frac{1}{\mathrm{e}}\)
  4. D \(-\frac{1}{\mathrm{e}}\)
Verified Solution

Answer & Solution

Correct Answer

(D) \(-\frac{1}{\mathrm{e}}\)

Step-by-step Solution

Detailed explanation

\(f(x)=x \log x\)
\(\therefore \quad \mathrm{f}^{\prime}(\mathrm{x})=\frac{\mathrm{x}}{\mathrm{x}}+\log \mathrm{x}=1+\log \mathrm{x}\)
When \(1+\log \mathrm{x}=0 \Rightarrow \mathrm{x}=\frac{1}{\mathrm{e}}\)
\(\mathrm{f}^{\prime \prime}(\mathrm{x})=\frac{1}{\mathrm{x}} \Rightarrow\left[\mathrm{f}^{\prime \prime}(\mathrm{x})\right]_{\mathrm{x}=\frac{1}{\mathrm{e}}}=\mathrm{e}>0\)
Thus \(\mathrm{f}(\mathrm{x})\) is minimum at \(\mathrm{x}=\frac{1}{\mathrm{e}}\) and
\(f(x)=\left(\frac{1}{e}\right) \log \left(\frac{1}{e}\right)=\frac{-1}{e}\)