16Hit1600
Advanced MathHardRange of a downward parabola

Advanced Math practice question

The function p is defined by p(x) = −(x − 3)² + 7. Which of the following describes all possible values of p(x)?

  1. A. p(x) ≤ 7Correct
  2. B. p(x) ≥ 7
  3. C. p(x) ≤ 3
  4. D. All real numbers

Answer: A. p(x) ≤ 7

−(x − 3)² is never positive, so p(x) is at most 7, reached at x = 3.

Why the other answers are wrong

B. p(x) ≥ 7
The parabola opens downward, so 7 is the maximum, not the minimum.
C. p(x) ≤ 3
3 is where the maximum occurs, not the maximum value.
D. All real numbers
A parabola's values are bounded on one side.

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