Which is the correct answer?

A function, f, passes through the points (1,1), (2,7) and (3,25). A function, g, passes through the points (1,36), (2,43) and (3,50).

Select the correct answer.

As the value of x increases, the value of f(x) will never exceed the value of g(x).

As the value of x increases, the value of f(x) will eventually exceed the value of g(x).

As the value of x increases, the values of f(x) and g(x) remain constant.

As the value of x increases, the value of f(x) and the value of g(x) both approach 100.

1 Answer
Jun 22, 2018

I think it is likely that the intended answer was
"As the value of x increases, the value of f(x) will eventual exceed the value of g(x)"
however...

Explanation:

Without any information about the nature of f(x) and g(x) this question can not be definitively answered. 3 points are not enough to define a function (unless, for example,m we know that the function is a polynomial of degree 2 or less).

From the given information, it seems that f(x) is likely intended to increase by some non-linear factor, whereas g(x) is likely intended to be linear.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

If f(x) and g(x) are assumed to be continuous polynomial functions with minimal degrees to satisfy the given data,
then
XXXf(x)=6x212x+7
and
XXXg(x)=7x+29
From the graphs we can see that in this case for large values of x, f(x)>g(x)
enter image source here

However (removing the requirement that f(x) have minimal degree)
XXXf(x)=6x3+42x278x+43
also fits the given data values, but the graphs now look like:
enter image source here
and except of small values of x, f(x)<g(x)

Similarly, if g(x) is not of minimal degree... and if we remove the assumption of continuity then anything is possible.