Question y-2-x-

2.1 Nonlinear Functions - Polynomial end behavior and turning points
0:00

y=2(x-d )(x+d )(x+g )(x-d )

In the given equation, d and g are unique positive constants. When the equation is graphed in the xy-plane, how many distinct x-intercepts does the graph have?

A.

4

B.

3

C.

2

D.

1

y = 2 ( x - d ) ( x + d ) ( x +

Hard-difficulty · SAT Math · Nonlinear Functions — Polynomial end behavior and turning points. 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. An x-intercept of a graph in the xy-plane is a point on the graph where the value of y is 0 . Substituting 0 for y in the given equation yields 0=2x-dx+dx+gx-d. By the zero product property, the solutions to this equation are x = d , x = - d , x = - g , and x = d . However, x = d and x = d are identical. It's given that d and g are unique positive constants. It follows that the equation 0=2x-dx+dx+gx-d has 3 unique solutions: x = d , x = - d , and x = - g . Thus, the graph of the given equation has 3 distinct x-intercepts.

Choice A is incorrect and may result from conceptual errors.

Choice C is incorrect and may result from conceptual errors.

Choice D is incorrect and may result from conceptual errors.