Carcass wrote:
Which of the following functions f(x) satisfies the condition f(y−z)=f(y)−f(z) for all possible values of y and z?
A. f(x)=x2
B. f(x)=x+(x−1)2
C. f(x)=x−1
D. f(x)=5x
E. f(x)=x5
Let's test a set of values:
y=3 and
z=1If the given condition is true, then it must be the case that
f(3−1)=f(3)−f(1)When we simplify the first function, we get:
f(2)=f(3)−f(1)So for each answer choice, let's test whether
f(2)=f(3)−f(1)A.
f(x)=x2 f(2)=f(3)−f(1) becomes
22=32−12Simplify:
4=9−1NOT TRUE.
Eliminate A
B.
f(x)=x+(x−1)2 f(2)=f(3)−f(1) becomes
2+(2−1)2=(3+(3−1)2)−(1+(2−1)2)Simplify:
3=7−2NOT TRUE.
Eliminate B
C.
f(x)=x−1 f(2)=f(3)−f(1) becomes
2−1=(3−1)−(1−1)Simplify:
1=2−0NOT TRUE.
Eliminate C
D.
f(x)=5x f(2)=f(3)−f(1) becomes
52=53−51Simplify:
52=−103NOT TRUE.
Eliminate D
By the process of elimination, the correct answer must be E.
But let's check to make sure.
E.
f(x)=x5f(2)=f(3)−f(1) becomes
25=35−15WORKS!
Answer: E