Math  /  Algebra

Question2 Mark for Review
Which of the following statements is true about the exponential function hh given by h(x)=34xh(x)=-3 \cdot 4^{x} ?
A hh is always increasing, and the graph of hh is always concave up. (B) hh is always increasing, and the graph of hh is always concave down. (C) hh is always decreasing, and the graph of hh is always concave up. (D) hh is always decreasing, and the graph of hh is always concave down.

Studdy Solution

STEP 1

What is this asking? Which statement correctly describes whether the function h(x)=34xh(x) = -3 \cdot 4^x is increasing or decreasing, and whether its graph is concave up or down? Watch out! Don't mix up increasing/decreasing with concave up/concave down!
They're related, but different.
Also, that negative sign in front can be tricky!

STEP 2

1. Analyze the function's behavior
2. Determine concavity

STEP 3

Let's **investigate** what happens as xx gets bigger.
Pick a couple of **test values** for xx, like x=1x = 1 and x=2x = 2.

STEP 4

When x=1x = 1, h(1)=341=34=12h(1) = -3 \cdot 4^1 = -3 \cdot 4 = -12.
Okay, cool!

STEP 5

When x=2x = 2, h(2)=342=316=48h(2) = -3 \cdot 4^2 = -3 \cdot 16 = -48.
Notice how the function's value became *more negative*, meaning it **decreased**.

STEP 6

Let's try one more, just to be sure.
When x=3x=3, h(3)=343=364=192h(3) = -3 \cdot 4^3 = -3 \cdot 64 = -192.
Yep, still **decreasing**!
So, h(x)h(x) is always **decreasing**.

STEP 7

Concavity describes how the *rate of change* of the function changes.
Since h(x)h(x) is always decreasing, let's look at *how much* it decreases between our test values.

STEP 8

Between x=1x=1 and x=2x=2, the function changed by 48(12)=36-48 - (-12) = -36.
It decreased by **36**.

STEP 9

Between x=2x=2 and x=3x=3, the function changed by 192(48)=144-192 - (-48) = -144.
Woah, it decreased by **144** this time!

STEP 10

The *rate* at which the function is decreasing is getting *bigger* (more negative).
This means the graph is bending *upwards*, even though the function is decreasing.
So, the graph is **concave up**.
Think of it like a frown that's getting steeper!

STEP 11

Since hh is always **decreasing**, and the graph of hh is always **concave up**, the correct answer is (C).

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