SAT Nonlinear functions Practice Question 8 (Medium)

Math · Advanced MathMedium

The function $f$ is defined by $f(x) = x^2 + bx + 12$ , where $b$ is a constant. If $f(2) = 0$ , what is the other value of $x$ for which $f(x) = 0$ ?

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Answer: 6

From $f(2) = 0$ : $4 + 2b + 12 = 0$ , so $b = -8$ . Then $f(x) = x^2 - 8x + 12 = (x - 2)(x - 6)$ . The other zero is $x = 6$ .

Giving $-8$ reports the value of $b$ rather than the second zero.

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