If the maximum value of the function $f(x) =\frac{\log_ex}{x},x>0$ occurs at $x = a$, then $a^2f''(a)$ is equal to
Answer & explanation
Correct answer: option 2
The correct answer is Option (2) → $-\frac{1}{e}$
$f(x)=\frac{\log x}{x}$, with $x>0$.
Differentiate:
$f'(x)=\frac{\frac{1}{x}\cdot x-\log x\cdot 1}{x^{2}}$
$f'(x)=\frac{1-\log x}{x^{2}}$
For maximum: $f'(a)=0$ gives
$1-\log a=0$
$\log a=1$
$a=e$
Second derivative:
$f'(x)=\frac{1-\log x}{x^{2}}$
$f''(x)=\frac{d}{dx}\left((1-\log x)x^{-2}\right)$
$f''(x)=(-\frac{1}{x})x^{-2}+(1-\log x)(-2)x^{-3}$
$f''(x)= -x^{-3}-2(1-\log x)x^{-3}$
$f''(x)=x^{-3}(-1-2+2\log x)$
$f''(x)=x^{-3}(2\log x-3)$
Evaluate at $x=a=e$:
$f''(e)=e^{-3}(2\cdot 1 - 3)$
$f''(e)=e^{-3}(-1)$
$f''(e)=-\frac{1}{e^{3}}$
Compute $a^{2}f''(a)$:
$e^{2}\cdot\left(-\frac{1}{e^{3}}\right)$
$=-\frac{1}{e}$
Final answer: $-\frac{1}{e}$