16Hit1600
Advanced MathHardWhere a quadratic exceeds its constant term

Advanced Math practice question

The function h is defined by h(x) = −x² + 4x + 12. For which values of x is h(x) greater than 12?

  1. A. 0 < x < 4Correct
  2. B. x > 4
  3. C. x < 0 or x > 4
  4. D. −4 < x < 0

Answer: A. 0 < x < 4

h(x) > 12 means −x² + 4x > 0, or x(4 − x) > 0, which holds exactly when 0 < x < 4.

Why the other answers are wrong

B. x > 4
For x > 4, x(4 − x) is negative, so h(x) < 12.
C. x < 0 or x > 4
Those are the values where h(x) is less than 12.
D. −4 < x < 0
For −4 < x < 0, x(4 − x) is negative.

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