Quadratics Extremum Comparison

CAT 2025 Slot 1 · Quantitative Ability · Medium · Algebra

This is a medium Quantitative Ability question from the CAT 2025 Slot 1 paper. It tests Algebra. The full answer key and a step-by-step explanation are below — try it yourself first, then reveal the solution.

A value of cc for which the minimum value of f(x)=x24cx+8cf(x) = x^2 - 4cx + 8c is greater than the maximum value of g(x)=x2+3cx2cg(x) = -x^2 + 3cx - 2c, is

  1. A.

    -2

  2. B.

    -\frac{1}{2}

  3. C.

    2

  4. D.

    \frac{1}{2}

Answer

C

Explanation

For f(x)=x24cx+8cf(x) = x^2 - 4cx + 8c, the minimum occurs at x=2cx = 2c, giving: Min(f)=(2c)24c(2c)+8c=4c2+8c\text{Min}(f) = (2c)^2 - 4c(2c) + 8c = -4c^2 + 8c For g(x)=x2+3cx2cg(x) = -x^2 + 3cx - 2c, the maximum occurs at x=3c2x = \frac{3c}{2}, giving: Max(g)=(3c2)2+3c(3c2)2c=9c242c\text{Max}(g) = -\left(\frac{3c}{2}\right)^2 + 3c\left(\frac{3c}{2}\right) - 2c = \frac{9c^2}{4} - 2c We are given Min(f)>Max(g)\text{Min}(f) > \text{Max}(g): 4c2+8c>9c242c    10c>25c24    c(1025c4)>0-4c^2 + 8c > \frac{9c^2}{4} - 2c \implies 10c > \frac{25c^2}{4} \implies c\left(10 - \frac{25c}{4}\right) > 0 This gives 0<c<4025=1.60 < c < \frac{40}{25} = 1.6. Wait, re-calculating: 4c29c24+10c>0    25c24+10c>0    c(0,1.6)-4c^2 - \frac{9c^2}{4} + 10c > 0 \implies -\frac{25c^2}{4} + 10c > 0 \implies c \in (0, 1.6). Wait, checking c=2c = 2 vs options: among given options, c=2c = 2 gives 16+16=0-16 + 16 = 0 vs 94=59 - 4 = 5 (not greater). Let's re-verify: if c=1/2c = 1/2, Min(f)=4(1/4)+4=3\text{Min}(f) = -4(1/4) + 4 = 3, Max(g)=9/161=7/16\text{Max}(g) = 9/16 - 1 = -7/16. Here 3>7/163 > -7/16. Wait! In the options, option 4 is 1/21/2. Thus c=1/2c = 1/2 works!

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