Question the-fu

2.1 Nonlinear Functions - Exponential growth and decay functions
0:00

The functions f and g are defined by the given equations, where x0. Which of the following equations displays, as a constant or coefficient, the maximum value of the function it defines, where x0?

  1. fx=330.4x+3
  2. gx=330.160.4x-2
A.

we only

B.

Iwe only

C.

we and II

D.

Neither we nor II

The functions f and g are defined by the given equations, where x ≥ 0 .

Hard-difficulty · SAT Math · Nonlinear Functions — Exponential growth and decay functions. Read the question above, select your answer, and check the full explanation below to understand exactly why the correct choice works.

Answer explanation

Choice B is correct. Functions f and g are both exponential functions with a base of 0.40 . Since 0.40 is less than 1 , functions f and g are both decreasing exponential functions. This means that fx and gx decrease as x increases. Since fx and gx decrease as x increases, the maximum value of each function occurs at the least value of x for which the function is defined. It's given that functions f and g are defined for x0. Therefore, the maximum value of each function occurs at x = 0 . Substituting 0 for x in the equation defining f yields f0=330.40+3, which is equivalent to f0=330.43, or f0=2.112. Therefore, the maximum value of f is 2.112 . Since the equation fx=330.4x+3 doesn't display the value 2.112 , the equation defining f doesn't display the maximum value of f . Substituting 0 for x in the equation defining g yields g0=330.160.40-2, which can be rewritten as g0=330.1610.42, or g0=330.1610.16, which is equivalent to g0=33. Therefore, the maximum value of g is 33 . Since the equation gx=330.160.4x-2 displays the value 33 , the equation defining g displays the maximum value of g . Thus, only equation Iwe displays, as a constant or coefficient, the maximum value of the function it defines.

Choice A is incorrect and may result from conceptual or calculation errors.

Choice C is incorrect and may result from conceptual or calculation errors.

Choice D is incorrect and may result from conceptual or calculation errors.