PSAT Math : Algebraic Functions

Study concepts, example questions & explanations for PSAT Math

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Example Questions

Example Question #2785 : Sat Mathematics

Iff(x)=2x^2-5 where  is an integer, which of the following could be a value of ?

I.

II.

III.

Possible Answers:

I and III only

I only

II only

II and III only

I, II and III

Correct answer:

II and III only

Explanation:

Choice I is incorrect because to equal 0, x^2=5, and since  is an integer, this cannot be true.

Choice II is correct because when  or .

Choice III is correct because  when  or .

Example Question #1001 : Algebra

Jamie is three times her little brother's age, and her little brother is two years younger than his older brother. Collectively, the three of them are 27 years old. How old is Jamie?

Possible Answers:

None of the available answers

Correct answer:

Explanation:

The algebraic expression for  being Jamie's youngest brother's age is:

Jamie's youngest brother is five, the next oldest brother is seven, and Jamie is 15.

Example Question #81 : Algebraic Functions

Consider the function defined as follows:

Find:

Possible Answers:

Correct answer:

Explanation:

The notation used above can be confusing. Let:

We can now find the answer by substituting the appropriate values into the equation:

Therefore:

Finally:

Example Question #2781 : Sat Mathematics

Solve for .

Possible Answers:

Correct answer:

Explanation:

To solve for , we actually have to solve for , when . We simply replace any with a .

The answer of  when  is .

Example Question #11 : Algebraic Functions

If f(x)=3x and g(x)=2x+2, what is the value of f(g(x)) when x=3?

 

Possible Answers:

18

22

24

20

Correct answer:

24

Explanation:

With composition of functions (as with the order of operations) we perform what is inside of the parentheses first. So, g(3)=2(3)+2=8 and then f(8)=24.

 

 

 

Example Question #1 : How To Find F(X)

g(x) = 4x – 3

h(x) = .25πx + 5

If f(x)=g(h(x)). What is f(1)?

Possible Answers:

19π – 3

π + 17

13π + 3

4

42

Correct answer:

π + 17

Explanation:

First, input the function of h into g. So f(x) = 4(.25πx + 5) – 3, then simplify this expression f(x) = πx + 20 – 3 (leave in terms of π since our answers are in terms of π). Then plug in 1 for x to get π + 17.

Example Question #1 : How To Find F(X)

If 7y = 4x - 12, then x = 

Possible Answers:
(7y+12)/4
(7y-12)/4
(7y+3)/12
(7y+12)/3
Correct answer: (7y+12)/4
Explanation:

Adding 12 to both sides and dividing by 4 yields (7y+12)/4.

Example Question #1 : Algebraic Functions

What is ?

Possible Answers:

Correct answer:

Explanation:

Example Question #1 : Algebraic Functions

If F(x) = 2x2 + 3 and G(x) = x – 3, what is F(G(x))?

Possible Answers:

2x2  

2x2 – 12x +21

2x2 + 12x +18

6x2 + 5x

6x2 – 12x

Correct answer:

2x2 – 12x +21

Explanation:

A composite function substitutes one function into another function and then simplifies the resulting expression.  F(G(x)) means the G(x) gets put into F(x).

F(G(x)) = 2(x – 3)2 + 3 = 2(x2 – 6x +9) + 3 = 2x2 – 12x + 18 + 3 = 2x2 – 12x + 21

G(F(x)) = (2x2 +3) – 3 = 2x2

Example Question #1 : Algebraic Functions

If a(x) = 2x+ x, and b(x) = –2x, what is a(b(2))?

Possible Answers:

503

–132

132

–503

128

Correct answer:

–132

Explanation:

When functions are set up within other functions like in this problem, the function closest to the given variable is performed first. The value obtained from this function is then plugged in as the variable in the outside function. Since b(x) = –2x, and x = 2, the value we obtain from b(x) is –4. We then plug this value in for x in the a(x) function. So a(x) then becomes 2(–43) + (–4), which equals –132.

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