B) 0
C) 1
D) 2
Here’s How to Crack It
Note that the problem is asking which of the answers could be equal to f(x)—in other words, the problem
is asking which of these values could be spit out of the f(x) machine. Think about what is going in: No
matter what you put in as a value for x, the value of x^2 has to be positive or zero. So, the lowest possible
value of x^2 + 2 is 2, which is (D).
Note that you could also approach this question by Plugging In the Answers. If you plugged in 1 for f(x),
for instance, you would get 1 = x^2 + 2, which becomes x^2 = –1, which is impossible.
Sometimes you’ll get more complicated questions. As long as you know that when you put in x, your
function will spit out another number, you’ll be fine. Try this next one:
20.Let the function g be defined by g(x) = 5x + 2. If = 6, what is the value of a ?A)
B)
C)
D)
PITA!
Don’t forget that
you can often plug in
the answer choices on
function questions!
Noticing a pattern yet?
Just a few easy tricks
can unlock a lot of
easy points.Here’s How to Crack It