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Advanced Math / Nonlinear functions Difficulty: Hard

fx= 4 x 2 + 64 x + 262

The function g is defined by gx=fx+5. For what value of x does gx reach its minimum?

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Explanation

Choice A is correct. It's given that gx=fx+5. Since fx=4x2+64x+262, it follows that fx+5=4x+52+64x+5+262. Expanding the quantity x+52 in this equation yields fx+5=4x2+10x+25+64x+5+262. Distributing the 4 and the 64 yields fx+5=4x2+40x+100+64x+320+262. Combining like terms yields fx+5=4x2+104x+682. Therefore, gx=4x2+104x+682. For a quadratic function defined by an equation of the form gx=ax-h2+k, where a , h , and k are constants and a is positive, gx reaches its minimum, k , when the value of x is h . The equation gx=4x2+104x+682 can be rewritten in this form by completing the square. This equation is equivalent to gx=4x2+26+682, or gx=4x2+26x+169-169+682. This equation can be rewritten as gx=4x+132-169+682, or gx=4x+132-4169+682, which is equivalent to gx=4x+132+6. This equation is in the form gx=ax-h2+k, where a = 4 , h = -13 , and k = 6 . Therefore, gx reaches its minimum when the value of x is -13 .

Choice B is incorrect. This is the value of x for which fx, rather than gx, reaches its minimum.

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

Choice D is incorrect. This is the value of x for which fx-5, rather than fx+5, reaches its minimum.