The maximum value of $\left( \frac{1}{x} \right)^x$ is
Answer & explanation
Correct answer: option 3
The correct answer is Option (3) → $e^{1/e}$ ##
Let $y = \left( \frac{1}{x} \right)^x$
Taking log on both sides
$\Rightarrow \log y = x \cdot \log \frac{1}{x}$
$∴\frac{1}{y} \frac{dy}{dx} = x \cdot \frac{1}{1/x} \left( -\frac{1}{x^2} \right) + \log \frac{1}{x} \cdot 1$
$= \left( -1 + \log \frac{1}{x} \right) y$
$∴\frac{dy}{dx} = \left( \log \frac{1}{x} - 1 \right) \cdot \left( \frac{1}{x} \right)^x \quad \left[ ∵y = \left( \frac{1}{x} \right)^x \right]$
Now, $\frac{dy}{dx} = 0$
$\Rightarrow \log \frac{1}{x} = 1 = \log e$
$\Rightarrow \frac{1}{x} = e$
$∴x = \frac{1}{e}$
Hence, the maximum value of $f\left( \frac{1}{e} \right) = (e)^{1/e}$.