Chapter 10: Problem 8
Determine whether the function \(f\) is one-to-one. $$ f(x)=-3 x+4 $$
Short Answer
Expert verified
The function \( f(x) = -3x + 4 \) is one-to-one.
Step by step solution
01
Understand the function
The function given is linear and is expressed as \( f(x) = -3x + 4 \). A linear function of the form \( f(x) = mx + b \) is one-to-one if the coefficient \( m \) is not zero.
02
Check the slope
The slope of the function \( f(x) = -3x + 4 \) is \( -3 \). Since the slope \( -3 eq 0 \), our function has a consistent direction of increase or decrease.
03
Apply the horizontal line test
A one-to-one function graph does not have any horizontal line intersecting it more than once. Since the function is linear with a non-zero slope, every horizontal line will intersect it exactly once.
04
Conclude based on the test
Since every horizontal line intersects the linear function \( f(x) = -3x + 4 \) exactly once, it is a one-to-one function.
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Key Concepts
These are the key concepts you need to understand to accurately answer the question.
Understanding Linear Functions
Linear functions are a fundamental type of function often represented in the form \( f(x) = mx + b \), where \( m \) is the slope and \( b \) is the y-intercept. They create straight lines when graphed, making them straightforward to analyze.
- The slope \( m \) indicates the steepness or inclination of the line.
- The y-intercept \( b \) indicates where the line crosses the y-axis.
Analyzing the Slope
The slope is a crucial concept when considering whether a linear function is one-to-one. In the function \( f(x) = -3x + 4 \), the slope is \(-3\). But what does this mean?
- A slope of \(-3\) means the line decreases, going downwards as you move from left to right on a graph.
- A slope other than zero ensures that the function moves consistently in one direction, either up or down.
Using the Horizontal Line Test
The horizontal line test is a simple yet powerful tool used to determine if a function is one-to-one. It involves drawing horizontal lines through various points on a graph and checking how many times these lines intersect with the graph.
- If any horizontal line intersects the graph more than once, the function is not one-to-one.
- For a function like \( f(x) = -3x + 4 \), each horizontal line intersects the graph exactly once due to its non-zero slope.