sat suite question viewer
The functions and are defined by the given equations, where . Which of the following equations displays, as a constant or coefficient, the maximum value of the function it defines, where ?
Explanation
Choice B is correct. For the function , since the base of the exponent, , is greater than , the value of increases as increases. Therefore, the value of and the value of also increase as increases. Since is therefore an increasing function where , the function has no maximum value. For the function , since the base of the exponent, , is less than , the value of decreases as increases. Therefore, the value of also decreases as increases. It follows that the maximum value of for occurs when . Substituting for in the function yields , which is equivalent to , or . Therefore, the maximum value of for is , which appears as a coefficient in equation II. So, of the two equations given, only II displays, as a constant or coefficient, the maximum value of the function it defines, where .
Choice A is incorrect and may result from conceptual or calculation errors.
Choice C is incorrect and may result from conceptual or calculation errors.
Choice D is incorrect and may result from conceptual or calculation errors.