Q.The domain of the function f given by f(x)=x2−x−6x2+2x+1
(A) R−{3, −2}
(B) R−{−3, 2}
(C) R−[3, −2]
(D) R−(3, −2)
🔒You're viewing a preview — the full solution, concept, methods & PYQ mapping are locked.
🔒 Start your 14-day free trial to unlock the full solution →Concept understanding — Rational Function Domain
What is a Rational Function Domain?
Imagine you're baking a cake and the recipe says "add flour until the mixture is smooth." If you add too much flour, the mixture becomes a dry lump — it stops being a proper batter. A rational function is like that mixture: it's a fraction made of two polynomials, and it only "works" when the denominator isn't zero.
A rational function looks like this:
f(x)=Q(x)P(x)
where P(x) and Q(x) are polynomials, and Q(x)=0.
The domain of a rational function is simply the set of all real numbers x for which the function is defined — meaning, all x except those that make the denominator zero.
The Intuition First
Think of division in everyday life. You can divide 10 apples among 5 people — that's fine. You can divide 10 apples among 2 people — also fine. But can you divide 10 apples among 0 people? That doesn't make sense. You can't split something among nobody.
In the same way, a rational function is a division. The denominator tells you "how many groups" you're splitting into. If the denominator is zero, the division is impossible — the function has no value there.
So the domain is: all real numbers, except the ones that make the bottom zero.
The Precise Statement
Domain of f(x)=Q(x)P(x) is {x∈R∣Q(x)=0}
In plain words: find every x that makes Q(x)=0, and remove those from the set of all real numbers.
How to Find the Domain — Step by Step
Step 1: Write down the denominator Q(x).
Step 2: Set Q(x)=0 and solve for x.
Step 3: The domain is all real numbers except those solutions.
You only care about the denominator. The numerator P(x) can be anything — even zero — and the function is still defined (it just equals zero). Only the denominator matters for domain.
Examples
Example 1: f(x)=x−31
Denominator: x−3=0⟹x=3
Domain: all real numbers except 3. In interval notation: (−∞,3)∪(3,∞)
Example 2: f(x)=x2−4x2+1
Denominator: x2−4=0⟹(x−2)(x+2)=0⟹x=2 or x=−2
Domain: all real numbers except 2 and −2. In interval notation: (−∞,−2)∪(−2,2)∪(2,∞)
Example 3: f(x)=x2+12x+5
Denominator: x2+1=0⟹x2=−1 — no real solution.
Domain: all real numbers, i.e., (−∞,∞) …
The key idea is that the domain of a rational function includes all real numbers for which its denominator is non-zero.
To find the domain of f(x)=x2−x−6x2+2x+1, we must ensure the denominator is not equal to zero.
Set the denominator to zero and solve for x:
x2−x−6=0
Factor the quadratic expression:
(x−3)(x+2)=0
This yields two values for x that make the denominator zero:
x−3=0⟹x=3 …
The domain of a rational function excludes any values of x that make its denominator zero. For f(x)=x2−x−6x2+2x+1, the denominator x2−x−6 is zero when x=3 or x=−2. Thus, the domain is all real numbers except 3 and −2, which is R−{3,−2}.
When we talk about the domain of a function, we are identifying all possible input values (x) for which the function produces a real, defined output (f(x)). For different types of functions, different restrictions apply.
For a rational function, which is a ratio of two polynomials, the primary restriction comes from the denominator. Division by zero is undefined in mathematics. Therefore, any value of x that makes the denominator equal to zero must be excluded from the function's domain. The numerator, being a polynomial, is defined for all real numbers, so it does not introduce any restrictions on its own.
Let's find the domain of the given function step-by-step.
-
Identify the function type:
The given function is f(x)=x2−x−6x2+2x+1. This is a rational function because it is expressed as a ratio of two polynomials: P(x)=x2+2x+1 (the numerator) and Q(x)=x2−x−6 (the denominator).
-
State the condition for the domain:
For a rational function, the domain consists of all real numbers for which the denominator is not equal to zero.
So, we must have x2−x−6=0.
-
Find the values of x that make the denominator zero:
To find the values that must be excluded, we set the denominator equal to zero and solve for x:
x2−x−6=0
This is a quadratic equation. We can solve it by factoring. We need two numbers that multiply to $-6$ and add up to $-1$. These numbers are $-3$ and $2$.
So, we can factor the quadratic as:
(x−3)(x+2)=0
For this product to be zero, at least one of the factors must be zero:
x−3=0orx+2=0
Solving these linear equations gives:
x=3orx=−2
These are the values of $x$ for which the denominator becomes zero, and thus, the function $f(x)$ is undefined.
4. Express the domain:
The domain of f(x) includes all real numbers except 3 and −2. We express this using set notation. The set of all real numbers is denoted by R. The set of values to be excluded is {3,−2}. …
- TG EAPCET 2026Set eng-2026-05-09-AN1 markMCQQ.Let f(x)=sin∣x∣([[x]]+∣x∣−x)x be a real valued function. If α=x→0−limf(x) and β=x→0+limf(x) then (A) α=β (B) α−β=1 (C) α+β=3 (D) αβ=1
›Reveal solutionSolution
The right-hand limit is β=0 and the left-hand limit is α=1, so α−β=1.
Here [[x]] is the greatest-integer (floor) function, and
f(x)=sin∣x∣([[x]]+∣x∣−x)x.
Right-hand limit β (as x→0+). For small x>0: [[x]]=0 and ∣x∣=x, so the bracket is
0+x−x=0.
Thus the numerator is 0, giving f(x)=0 and
β=limx→0+f(x)=0.
Left-hand limit α (as x→0−). For small x<0: [[x]]=−1 and ∣x∣=−x, so the bracket is
−1+(−x)−x=−1−2x,
and sin∣x∣=sin(−x). Put t=−x>0 (so t→0+, x=−t): …
- TG EAPCET 2026Set eng-2026-05-09-AN1 markMCQQ.If m and M are respectively the absolute minimum and absolute maximum values of the function f(x)=∣2x2−x−6∣+2x−3 in the interval [−2,4], then 2M+8m= (A) 154 (B) 6 (C) 8 (D) 150
›Reveal solutionSolution
The key is to split the absolute value at its zeros, treat each piece as a separate quadratic, and then find the global min and max over the closed interval. The result is 2M+8m=150.
The function f(x)=∣2x2−x−6∣+2x−3 is not a simple polynomial — the absolute value makes it piecewise. To handle it, we first find where the expression inside the absolute value changes sign. That happens at the roots of 2x2−x−6=0.
Factor: 2x2−x−6=(2x+3)(x−2). So the zeros are x=−23 and x=2. These split the real line into three intervals. Over [−2,4], we must consider each piece separately.
The quadratic 2x2−x−6 opens upward (coefficient 2>0), so it is negative between its roots and positive outside. That means:
- For x<−23 and x>2, the expression inside is positive, so ∣2x2−x−6∣=2x2−x−6.
- For −23<x<2, it is negative, so ∣2x2−x−6∣=−(2x2−x−6)=−2x2+x+6.
Now write f(x) piecewise over [−2,4], being careful at the boundaries:
- Interval I: x∈[−2,−23] Here 2x2−x−6≥0, so
f(x)=(2x2−x−6)+2x−3=2x2+x−9.
This is a parabola opening upward. Its vertex is at x=−41, but that lies outside this interval (since −41>−23). So on [−2,−23], the function is decreasing (because the vertex is to the right). The extreme values occur at the endpoints:
- At x=−2: f(−2)=2(4)−2−9=8−2−9=−3.
- At x=−23: f(−23)=2(49)−23−9=29−23−9=3−9=−6. So on this interval, the values range from −6 to −3.
- Interval II: x∈[−23,2] Here 2x2−x−6≤0, so
f(x)=(−2x2+x+6)+2x−3=−2x2+3x+3.
This parabola opens downward. Its vertex is at x=43, which lies inside this interval. The vertex gives a maximum:
f(43)=−2(169)+3(43)+3=−89+49+3=−89+818+824=833=4.125.
Check the endpoints:
- At x=−23: f(−23)=−2(49)+3(−23)+3=−29−29+3=−9+3=−6 (matches the previous piece).
- At x=2: f(2)=−2(4)+3(2)+3=−8+6+3=1. So on this interval, values range from −6 up to 833. …
- TG EAPCET 2026Set eng-2026-05-09-FN1 markMCQQ.The domain of the real valued function f(x)=cos−1(log5(5x))+log5(cos−1(5x)) is (A) [51,5] (B) [1,25] (C) [51,1) (D) [1,5)
›Reveal solutionSolution
The domain is the set of all x for which both terms are defined. The first term requires 5x∈[51,5], and the second term requires 5x∈(0,1]. Intersecting these gives x∈[1,5), so the correct option is (D).
We need the domain of
f(x)=cos−1(log5(5x))+log5(cos−1(5x)).
A sum of two functions is defined exactly where both are defined. So we find the domain of each piece separately, then take their intersection.
1. Domain of the first term: cos−1(log5(5x))
The inverse cosine function cos−1(t) is defined only for t∈[−1,1].
Thus we need
−1≤log5(5x)≤1.
Recall that log5(y) is increasing, so we can exponentiate with base 5:
5−1≤5x≤51.
That is
51≤5x≤5.
Multiplying through by 5 gives
1≤x≤25.
So the first term is defined for x∈[1,25].
Watch outA common mistake is to forget that cos−1 requires its argument to be between −1 and 1, not just positive. Here the argument is a logarithm, which can be negative, so the lower bound −1 is essential.
2. Domain of the second term: log5(cos−1(5x))
The logarithm log5(u) is defined only for u>0.
So we need
cos−1(5x)>0.
Now, cos−1(t) is always ≥0, and it equals 0 only when t=1.
Thus cos−1(t)>0 means t=1, and also t must be in the domain of cos−1, which is [−1,1].
So we require
−1≤5x<1.
(The upper bound is strict because t=1 gives cos−1(1)=0, making the logarithm undefined.)
Multiply by 5:
−5≤x<5. …
- TG EAPCET 2026Set eng-2026-05-11-FN1 markMCQQ.If f:R→R, g:R→R are two functions defined by f(x)=∣x+1∣ and g(x)={e−x,x−1,x≤0x>0, then (f∘g)(−2)+(g∘f)(2)= (A) e2+5 (B) e−2+3 (C) e−2+5 (D) e2+3
›Reveal solutionSolution
Working inside-out: g(−2)=e2 so f(g(−2))=e2+1; and f(2)=3 so g(f(2))=3−1=2. The sum is e2+3 — option (D).
The concept first
A composite (f∘g)(x) means f applied to g(x) — the inner function acts first. With a piecewise-defined function the crucial discipline is:
compute the inner value first, then look at that value to decide which branch applies.
The branch is chosen by the input to g, not by the original x of the composite. Most errors in this question come from applying the wrong branch — for instance using g(x)=x−1 at x=−2 (giving −3) or using g(x)=e−x at x=3.
Here
f(x)=∣x+1∣,g(x)={e−x,x−1,x≤0x>0
Step-by-step
Part 1: (f∘g)(−2)=f(g(−2)).
Step 1 — evaluate the inner function. The input to g is −2. Is −2≤0? Yes, so we take the first branch, g(x)=e−x:
g(−2)=e−(−2)=e2.
(Watch the double negative — this is where option (C), e−2+5, hopes to catch you.)
Step 2 — feed that into f.
f(e2)=e2+1.
Since e2≈7.39>0, the quantity inside the modulus is positive, so the bars simply come off:
f(e2)=e2+1.
Part 2: (g∘f)(2)=g(f(2)).
Step 3 — evaluate the inner function, which is now f.
f(2)=∣2+1∣=3. …
- TG EAPCET 2026Set eng-2026-05-11-FN1 markMCQQ.If f(x)=x3−19x+30 is a real valued function with [−4,1] as its domain, then the value of c according to Lagrange's mean value theorem for f(x) is (A) 4.33 (B) −2 (C) −4.33 (D) −3
›Reveal solutionSolution
Lagrange's Mean Value Theorem states that for a continuous and differentiable function, there exists a point c in the open interval where the instantaneous rate of change (derivative) equals the average rate of change over the interval. For f(x)=x3−19x+30 on [−4,1], the value of c is −4.33.
Lagrange's Mean Value Theorem (LMVT) is a fundamental result in calculus that connects the local behavior of a function (its derivative at a point) to its global behavior (its average rate of change over an interval).
The theorem states that if a function f(x) is:
- Continuous on the closed interval [a,b], and
- Differentiable on the open interval (a,b), then there exists at least one point c in the open interval (a,b) such that the tangent to the curve at x=c is parallel to the secant line connecting the endpoints (a,f(a)) and (b,f(b)).
Mathematically, this means:
f′(c)=b−af(b)−f(a)
Let's apply this theorem to the given function.
-
Verify the conditions for LMVT.
The given function is f(x)=x3−19x+30. This is a polynomial function.
- Polynomial functions are continuous everywhere, so f(x) is continuous on the closed interval [−4,1].
- Polynomial functions are differentiable everywhere, so f(x) is differentiable on the open interval (−4,1). Since both conditions are satisfied, LMVT can be applied.
-
Calculate the function values at the endpoints.
The given interval is [−4,1], so a=−4 and b=1.
- f(a)=f(−4)=(−4)3−19(−4)+30=−64+76+30=42.
- f(b)=f(1)=(1)3−19(1)+30=1−19+30=12.
-
Calculate the average rate of change over the interval.
This is the slope of the secant line connecting (a,f(a)) and (b,f(b)).
b−af(b)−f(a)=1−(−4)f(1)−f(−4)=1+412−42=5−30=−6.
-
Calculate the derivative of the function.
f′(x)=dxd(x3−19x+30)=3x2−19.
-
Apply the LMVT formula and solve for c.
According to LMVT, there exists a c∈(−4,1) such that f′(c)=b−af(b)−f(a).
Substitute the expressions we found:
3c2−19=−6
3c2=−6+19
3c2=13
c2=313
c=±313 …
- TG EAPCET 2025Set eng-2025-05-03-FN1 markMCQQ.Let f:R→R be defined by f(x)=5∣x∣+sgn(5−x), where sgnx denotes signum function of x. Then f is (A) onto but not one-one (B) one-one but not onto (C) neither one-one nor onto (D) both one-one and onto
›Reveal solutionSolution
The function is not one‑one because it is even (symmetric about the y‑axis), and it is not onto because its range is a proper subset of R. Therefore the correct option is (C).
We need to decide whether f(x)=5∣x∣+sgn(5−x) is one‑one (injective) and/or onto (surjective). The key is to understand the two pieces separately and then combine them.
Concept & Intuition
The term 5∣x∣ is even and always at least 1 (since ∣x∣≥0). The signum term sgn(5−x) depends only on the sign of 5−x, which is always positive because 5−x>0 for all real x. So sgn(5−x)=1 for every x. That means the function simplifies dramatically: f(x)=5∣x∣+1. Once we see that, the analysis becomes straightforward.
- Simplify the signum term For any real x, 5−x>0 (exponential is always positive). The signum function sgn(y) is 1 if y>0, 0 if y=0, −1 if y<0. Since 5−x>0, we have
sgn(5−x)=1for all x∈R.
Hence
f(x)=5∣x∣+1.
-
Check one‑one (injectivity)
The function g(x)=5∣x∣ is even: g(−x)=g(x). Adding 1 preserves evenness, so f(−x)=f(x).
For example, f(2)=52+1=26 and f(−2)=52+1=26. Two different inputs (2 and −2) give the same output, so f is not one‑one.
-
Check onto (surjectivity)
The range of 5∣x∣ is [1,∞) because ∣x∣≥0 gives 5∣x∣≥50=1. Adding 1 shifts the range to [2,∞). …
- TG EAPCET 2024Set eng-2024-05-09-AN1 markMCQQ.f is a real valued function satisfying the relation f(3x+2x1)=9x2+4x21. If f(x+x1)=1 then x= (A) ±2 (B) ±1 (C) ±3 (D) ±6
›Reveal solutionSolution
The key is to rewrite the given expression in terms of the argument 3x+2x1 by completing a square, then substitute to find f(t)=t2−3, and finally solve f(x+1/x)=1 to get x=±2.
We are told that
f(3x+2x1)=9x2+4x21.
We want to find x such that f(x+1/x)=1.
Concept and intuition:
The function f is defined implicitly — we only know its output for inputs of the form 3x+1/(2x). To find f in general, we need to express the right-hand side in terms of that same input. That suggests completing a square: notice that (3x)2=9x2 and (1/(2x))2=1/(4x2), and the cross term 2⋅3x⋅1/(2x)=3 is constant. So the right-hand side is almost the square of the input, minus that constant. Once we have f(t)=t2−3, we can handle any input.
Step-by-step solution:
- Identify the pattern. Let u=3x+2x1. Then compute u2:
u2=(3x+2x1)2=9x2+2⋅3x⋅2x1+4x21=9x2+3+4x21.
- Relate to the given right-hand side. The given RHS is 9x2+4x21. Comparing with u2, we see:
9x2+4x21=u2−3.
Therefore,
f(u)=u2−3.
-
Check that this works for all relevant u.
Since x can be any nonzero real, u=3x+1/(2x) can take many real values (by varying x, u ranges over (−∞,−6]∪[6,∞)). But the algebraic identity holds for all x=0, so the functional form f(t)=t2−3 is valid on that domain.
-
Now use the second condition.
We are told f(x+x1)=1. Using f(t)=t2−3:
(x+x1)2−3=1.
- Solve the equation.
(x+x1)2=4⇒x+x1=±2.
Multiply through by x:
- For x+1/x=2: x2−2x+1=0⇒(x−1)2=0⇒x=1. …
- TG EAPCET 2022Set eng-2022-07-20-FN1 markMCQQ.If ∣x+iy∣=x2+y2, then (1−3i)9+(3+i)9= (A) 29 (B) 218 (C) 210 (D) 2219
›Reveal solutionSolution
In polar form the sum is −512−512i, whose modulus is 219/2 — option (D).
Both complex numbers have modulus 2:
1−3i=2(cos(−3π)+isin(−3π)),3+i=2(cos6π+isin6π)
By De Moivre's theorem:
(1−3i)9=29(cos(−3π)+isin(−3π))=512(−1)=−512 …
- TG EAPCET 2021Set eng-2021-08-05-FN1 markMCQQ.For x∈R∖{−6}, the value of (x+6)(x+2)(x+5) does not lie in the interval (A) [−9,−1] (B) [−5,−2] (C) (−5,−2) (D) (−9,−1)
›Reveal solutionSolution
The expression x+6(x+2)(x+5) can take all real values except those in (−9,−1). The correct option is (D).
We are asked: for x∈R∖{−6}, the value of (x+6)(x+2)(x+5) does not lie in which interval? That means we need to find the range of this rational function and see which interval is completely excluded.
The key idea: rewrite the expression in a form that reveals its behaviour. A rational function like this, where the numerator is quadratic and the denominator is linear, can be simplified by polynomial division. This turns it into a sum of a linear term and a simpler rational term, making it easy to analyse.
Let y=x+6(x+2)(x+5). We want the set of all possible y values as x varies over all real numbers except −6.
- Simplify the expression. Expand the numerator: (x+2)(x+5)=x2+7x+10. Perform division:
x+6x2+7x+10=x+1+x+64
Check: (x+6)(x+1)=x2+7x+6, remainder 4, so yes.
Thus
y=x+1+x+64.
- Introduce a substitution to simplify further. Let t=x+6. Then x=t−6, and x+1=t−5. So
y=(t−5)+t4=t+t4−5.
Now t∈R∖{0} (since x=−6 means t=0).
So the problem reduces to: find the range of f(t)=t+t4−5 for t=0.
-
Analyse t+t4.
This is a classic function. For t>0, by AM–GM, t+t4≥2t⋅t4=4, with equality at t=2.
For t<0, let u=−t>0. Then t+t4=−u−u4=−(u+u4)≤−4, with equality at u=2 i.e. t=−2.
So t+t4 takes all values ≥4 and all values ≤−4, and nothing in between (−4,4).
Watch outA common mistake is to think t+t4 can take any real value. It cannot — it has a gap (−4,4). This gap is the key to the problem.
-
Translate back to y.
Since y=(t+t4)−5, the range of y is:
- When t+t4≥4, we get y≥4−5=−1.
- When t+t4≤−4, we get y≤−4−5=−9. So y takes all values ≥−1 and all values ≤−9, but no values in (−9,−1).
TipThe endpoints −9 and −1 are actually attained: at t=−2 we get y=−9, and at t=2 we get y=−1. So the excluded set is the open interval (−9,−1).
-
Match with the options.
The expression does not take values in (−9,−1).
Option (A) [−9,−1] — this includes the endpoints, which are attained, so the expression does lie in this interval.
Option (B) [−5,−2] — this is inside (−9,−1)? No, [−5,−2] is a subset of (−9,−1), so the expression does not take these values either. Wait — careful: the expression takes no value in (−9,−1), so it certainly takes no value in [−5,−2] either. But the question asks: "does not lie in the interval" — meaning which interval is completely avoided? Both (B) and (C) and (D) are subsets of (−9,−1), so the expression does not lie in any of them. But only one option is correct — we need to see which interval is exactly the one that is avoided. …
🎓Unlock everything free for 14 days
- ✓Full step-by-step solutions
- ✓Concept-first explanations
- ✓Methods, shortcuts & mistakes
- ✓PYQ mapping + timed mock tests
Full access for 14 days. No credit card required.