16Hit1600
Advanced MathHardWhere a downward parabola is non-negative

Advanced Math practice question

The function g is defined by g(x) = −(x + 3)² + 4. For which values of x is g(x) ≥ 0?

  1. A. −5 ≤ x ≤ −1Correct
  2. B. x ≤ −5 or x ≥ −1
  3. C. x ≥ −3
  4. D. All real x

Answer: A. −5 ≤ x ≤ −1

g(x) = 0 when (x + 3)² = 4, i.e. x = −1 or −5. The parabola opens downward, so g ≥ 0 between them.

Why the other answers are wrong

B. x ≤ −5 or x ≥ −1
Outside the zeros the parabola is negative.
C. x ≥ −3
x ≥ −3 runs past x = −1, where g turns negative.
D. All real x
g(0) = −5, so not all x.

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