The positive real number x when added to its reciprocal gives the minimum value of the sum when, x = __________________.
Let S(x) be the sum of the positive real number x and its reciprocal.
$\therefore S(x)=x+\frac{1}{x}$
Differentiating both sides with respect to x, we get
$S^{\prime}(x)=1-\frac{1}{x^{2}}$
For maxima or minima,
$S^{\prime}(x)=0$
$\Rightarrow 1-\frac{1}{x^{2}}=0$
$\Rightarrow x^{2}=1$
$\Rightarrow x=-1$ or $x=1$
Now,
$S^{\prime \prime}(x)=\frac{2}{x^{3}}$
At $x=-1$, we have
$S^{\prime \prime}(1)=\frac{2}{(-1)^{3}}=-2<0$
So, x = −1 is the point of local maximum of S(x).
At x = 1, we have
$S^{\prime \prime}(1)=\frac{2}{(1)^{3}}=2>0$
So, x = 1 is the point of local minimum of S(x).
Therefore, S(x) is minimum when x =1.
Thus, the sum of positive real number x and its reciprocal is minimum when x = 1.
The positive real number x when added to its reciprocal gives the minimum value of the sum when, x = ___1___.