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For the function f(x)=xx,x>0f(x) = x^x, x > 0, which of the following are TRUE?

(A) f′(x)=xx(1+log⁡x)f'(x) = x^x(1 + \log x)

(B) x=ex = e is the critical point

(C) ff is increasing in (1e,∞)(\frac{1}{e}, \infty)

(D) ff is increasing in (0,∞)(0, \infty)

Choose the correct answer from the options given below:

Solution

✅ Correct Option: 3

The function is f(x)=xxf(x) = x^x for x>0x > 0.

To find f′(x)f'(x), use logarithmic differentiation.

Let y=xxy = x^x

ln⁡(y)=ln⁡(xx)\ln(y) = \ln(x^x)

ln⁡(y)=xln⁡(x)\ln(y) = x \ln(x)

Differentiate both sides with respect to xx:

1y⋅dydx=ln⁡(x)+x⋅1x\frac{1}{y} \cdot \frac{dy}{dx} = \ln(x) + x \cdot \frac{1}{x}

1y⋅dydx=ln⁡(x)+1\frac{1}{y} \cdot \frac{dy}{dx} = \ln(x) + 1

dydx=y(ln⁡(x)+1)\frac{dy}{dx} = y(\ln(x) + 1)

f′(x)=xx(1+ln⁡(x))f'(x) = x^x(1 + \ln(x))

Statement (A) is TRUE.


Critical points occur where f′(x)=0f'(x) = 0:

xx(1+ln⁡(x))=0x^x(1 + \ln(x)) = 0

Since xx>0x^x > 0 for all x>0x > 0:

1+ln⁡(x)=01 + \ln(x) = 0

ln⁡(x)=−1\ln(x) = -1

x=e−1x = e^{-1}

x=1ex = \frac{1}{e}

The critical point is x=1ex = \frac{1}{e}, not x=ex = e.

Statement (B) is FALSE.


The function is increasing where f′(x)>0f'(x) > 0:

xx(1+ln⁡(x))>0x^x(1 + \ln(x)) > 0

Since xx>0x^x > 0 for all x>0x > 0:

1+ln⁡(x)>01 + \ln(x) > 0

ln⁡(x)>−1\ln(x) > -1

x>1ex > \frac{1}{e}

For x∈(0,1e)x \in (0, \frac{1}{e}): f′(x)<0f'(x) < 0, so ff is decreasing.

For x∈(1e,∞)x \in (\frac{1}{e}, \infty): f′(x)>0f'(x) > 0, so ff is increasing.

Statement (C) is TRUE.

Statement (D) is FALSE.


Statements (A) and (C) are TRUE.

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