16Hit1600
Advanced MathMediumSum of values of an odd function at symmetric inputs

Advanced Math practice question

The function f is defined by f(x) = x³ − x. What is the value of f(−2) + f(−1) + f(0) + f(1) + f(2)?

Answer: 0

f(−x) = −f(x), so f(−2) + f(2) = 0 and f(−1) + f(1) = 0, and f(0) = 0. The sum is 0. (Directly: −6 + 0 + 0 + 0 + 6 = 0.)

Common wrong answers

If you answered 6
6 is f(2) alone.
If you answered 12
12 adds |f(−2)| and |f(2)| without their signs.
If you answered -6
−6 is f(−2) alone.

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