Minimum Value of Expression with Domain Restriction

CAT 2022 Slot 3 · QA · Easy · Algebra

The minimum possible value of x26x+103x\frac{x^2 - 6x + 10}{3 - x}, for x<3x < 3, is

  1. A.

    \frac{1}{2}

  2. B.

    -\frac{1}{2}

  3. C.

    2

  4. D.

    -2

Answer

C

Explanation

Let t=3xt = 3 - x. Since x<3x < 3, we have t>0t > 0. Express xx in terms of tt: x=3tx = 3 - t.

Substitute into the expression: x26x+103x=(x3)2+13x=(t)2+1t=t2+1t=t+1t\frac{x^2 - 6x + 10}{3 - x} = \frac{(x - 3)^2 + 1}{3 - x} = \frac{(-t)^2 + 1}{t} = \frac{t^2 + 1}{t} = t + \frac{1}{t}

For t>0t > 0, by AM-GM inequality, t+1t2t + \frac{1}{t} \ge 2. The minimum possible value is 22, which occurs when t=1t = 1, i.e., x=2x = 2.

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