ACT Math · Function notation and transformations

On what interval is f(x) = (x-2)² + 3 decreasing?

On what interval is f(x)=(x−2)2+3f(x) = (x-2)^2 + 3 decreasing?

Answer and explanation

Answer: A: x < 2

The function (x−2)2+3(x-2)^2+3 is an upward-opening parabola with its vertex at (2,3)(2,3). To the left of the vertex, the outputs decrease as xx increases toward 22; to the right, they increase. So the function is decreasing for x<2x<2, choice A. Choice B (x>2x>2) is the interval where it is increasing. Choices C and D use 33, which is the yy-coordinate of the vertex, not its xx-coordinate. Intervals of increase and decrease are described by inputs, so the boundary must be x=2x=2.

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