ACT Math · Function notation and transformations

If f(x) = 2x + 3, what is f(-x)?

If f(x)=2x+3f(x) = 2x + 3, what is f(−x)f(-x)?

Answer and explanation

Answer: J: -2x + 3

To find f(−x)f(-x), replace every xx in the function with −x-x: f(−x)=2(−x)+3=−2x+3f(-x)=2(-x)+3=-2x+3, choice J. Only the term with xx changes sign; the constant 33 stays as it is. Choice F (2x+32x+3) is f(x)f(x) itself, with nothing replaced. Choice H (−2x−3-2x-3) is −f(x)-f(x), which negates the whole function and not only the input. Choice G (2x−32x-3) flips only the constant. Note that f(−x)≠f(x)f(-x)\ne f(x) and f(−x)≠−f(x)f(-x)\ne-f(x), so this function is neither even nor odd.

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