sat suite question viewer

Advanced Math / Nonlinear functions Difficulty: Medium
xf(x)
05
1five halves
2five fourths
3five eighths

The table above gives the values of the function f for some values of x. Which of the following equations could define f ?

Back question 99 of 229 Next

Explanation

Choice D is correct. Each choice has a function with coefficient 5 and base 2, so the exponents must be analyzed. When the input value of x increases, the output value of f(x) decreases, so the exponent must be negative. An exponent of –x yields the values in the table: first value, 5, which equals 5 times open parenthesis, 2 to the negative 0 power, close parenthesis, second value, five halves, which equals 5 times open parenthesis, 2 to the negative 1 power, close parenthesis, third value, five fourths, which equals 2 to the negative 2 power, and fourth value, five eighths, which equals 5 times open parenthesis, 2 to the negative 3 power, close parenthesis.

Choices A and B are incorrect and may result from choosing equations that yield an increasing, rather than decreasing, output value of f(x) when the input value of x increases. Choice C is incorrect and may result from choosing an equation that doesn’t yield the values in the table.