# Minimum Value

• September 9th 2010, 08:27 PM
Lukybear
Minimum Value
Not sure if this is in calculus section as I am not sure of approach.

Given

f(x) = (a+b+x)/(3abx) , x>0 and a ,b are positive real numbers

i)Show that the minimum value of f(x) occurs when x = (a + b)/2

Thanks. No idea how to approach. Tried differentiation but ended with

f'(x) = -(a+b)/(3abx^2) which does not have turning point.
• September 10th 2010, 12:16 AM
Opalg
Quote:

Originally Posted by Lukybear
Not sure if this is in calculus section as I am not sure of approach.

Given

f(x) = (a+b+x)/(3abx) , x>0 and a ,b are positive real numbers

i)Show that the minimum value of f(x) occurs when x = (a + b)/2

Thanks. No idea how to approach. Tried differentiation but ended with

f'(x) = -(a+b)/(3abx^2) which does not have turning point.

You have differentiated this correctly: the given function does not have a turning point or a minimum value.

The likeliest explanation is that there is a mistake in the question (or you have copied it incorrectly). If the correct version is $f(x) = (a+b+x)^2/(3abx)$ then there is a minimum at x = (a + b)/2.
• September 10th 2010, 05:56 AM
Lukybear
Ah yes. That would be most likely explanation as it is proving inequalities. Thanks.