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-   -   Functions on GMAT (https://www.askmehelpdesk.com/showthread.php?t=296096)

  • Dec 27, 2008, 12:06 PM
    AWR83
    Functions on GMAT
    for which of the following functions is f(x)=f(x-1)?
    a) f(x)=x^2(1-x)^2
    b) f(x)=1-x
    c) f(x)=1-x^2

    Thanks,
  • Dec 31, 2008, 11:20 AM
    v1033

    why don't you try putting some specific examples into the functions?

    e.g.

    a) f(2) = 4 x 1 = 4
    f(2-1) = 1 x 0 = 0
    so a doesn't satisfy f(x)=f(x-1)
  • Dec 31, 2008, 11:21 AM
    v1033
    Or do I misunderstand the question?
  • Jan 4, 2009, 10:04 AM
    EuRa

    You simply substitute the equations:

    For example, in B we have f(x)=1-x, substituted gives you 1-(x-1), which = 1-x+1 = 2-x. So this isn't the answer.

    -----

    This question is actually a very popular question to give, but it's always f(x) = f(1-x), and the answer would be A. Are you sure you wrote it the right way? Because I did all A, B, and C, and none of them worked. Are there more choices? Did you write it correctly?
  • Jan 4, 2009, 10:28 AM
    v1033

    Eura,I don't see why the reddie my answer is not wrong merely incomplete and I thought we were meant to give pointers not answers.

    Awr83, I agree with eura's last point I also think none of them work and you may have posted an incorrect or incomplete question...
  • Jan 4, 2009, 10:52 AM
    EuRa
    Quote:

    Originally Posted by v1033 View Post
    eura,i don't see why the reddie my answer is not wrong mearly incomplete

    Even if it is incomplete, it's going in the wrong direction. I don't mean to be a negative nancy, but I am a High School Math Teacher and I taught this lesson not even 3 weeks ago.
  • Jan 4, 2009, 10:55 AM
    v1033

    Then you may know of john mason's research that when stuck on a maths problem; specialising can help you on the way to generalising, which was the direction I was going in...
  • Jan 4, 2009, 07:25 PM
    EuRa

    I was in a bad mood when I wrote all this earlier. Your way (using examples) will work just fine.

    I'll give you 2 positives to counter the negative comment.

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