ACT Math · Function notation and transformations
On what interval is f(x) = (x-2)² + 3 decreasing?
On what interval is decreasing?
Answer and explanation
Answer: A: x < 2
The function is an upward-opening parabola with its vertex at . To the left of the vertex, the outputs decrease as increases toward ; to the right, they increase. So the function is decreasing for , choice A. Choice B () is the interval where it is increasing. Choices C and D use , which is the -coordinate of the vertex, not its -coordinate. Intervals of increase and decrease are described by inputs, so the boundary must be .
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