SAT Math : How to find f(x)

Study concepts, example questions & explanations for SAT Math

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Example Questions

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

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

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

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

Possible Answers:

6x2 – 12x

2x2  

6x2 + 5x

2x2 – 12x +21

2x2 + 12x +18

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.

Example Question #2671 : Act Math

Let F(x) = x3 + 2x2 – 3 and G(x) = x + 5.  Find F(G(x))

Possible Answers:

x3 + 2x2 – x – 8

x3 + 2x2 + x + 2

x3x2x + 8

x3 + x2 + 2

x3 + 17x2 + 95x + 172

Correct answer:

x3 + 17x2 + 95x + 172

Explanation:

F(G(x)) is a composite function where the expression G(x) is substituted in for x in F(x)

F(G(x)) = (x + 5)3 + 2(x + 5)2 – 3 = x3 + 17x2 + 95x + 172

G(F(x)) = x3 + x2 + 2

F(x) – G(x) = x3 + 2x2 – x – 8

F(x) + G(x) =  x3 + 2x2 + x + 2

Example Question #8 : How To Find F(X)

What is the value of xy2(xy – 3xy) given that = –3 and = 7?

Possible Answers:

3565

–2881

2881

–6174

Correct answer:

–6174

Explanation:

Evaluating yields –6174.

–147(–21 + 63) =

–147 * 42 = –6174

Example Question #2791 : Sat Mathematics

f(x)=x^{2}+2

g(x)=x-4

Find g(f(2)).

Possible Answers:

\dpi{100} \small 2

\dpi{100} \small 4

\dpi{100} \small 1

\dpi{100} \small 3

\dpi{100} \small 6

Correct answer:

\dpi{100} \small 2

Explanation:

g(f(2)) is \dpi{100} \small 2. To start, we find that f(2)=2^{2}+2=4+2=6. Using this, we find that g(6)=6-4=2.

Alternatively, we can find that g(f(x))=(x^{2}+2)-4=x^{2}-2. Then, we find that g(f(2))=2^{2}-2=4-2=2.

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