The interval, in which the function $f(x)=\frac{3}{x}+\frac{x}{3}$ is strictly decreasing, is: |
$(-∞,-3)∪(3,∞)$ $(-3,3)$ $(-3,0)∪(0,3)$ $R-\{0\}$ |
$(-3,0)∪(0,3)$ |
The correct answer is Option (3) → $(-3,0)∪(0,3)$ We are given $f(x) = 3/x + x/3$ To find where the function is strictly decreasing, we check the derivative. Step 1: Differentiate $f'(x)$ = derivative of $3/x$ + derivative of $x/3$ $= -3/x^2 + 1/3$ Step 2: For decreasing, $f'(x) < 0$ So, $1/3-3/x^2 < 0$ Multiply both sides by $3x^2$ (positive for $x ≠ 0$, so inequality sign does not change): $x^2-9<0$ $x^2 <9$ $-3 < x < 3$ But $x ≠ 0$ because the function is not defined at $x = 0$. Step 3: Split the interval So the function is strictly decreasing on $(-3, 0) ∪ (0,3)$ |