Domain of Composite Rational Functions

CAT 2025 Slot 3 · Quantitative Ability · Hard · Functions

This is a hard Quantitative Ability question from the CAT 2025 Slot 3 paper. It tests Functions. The full answer key and a step-by-step explanation are below — try it yourself first, then reveal the solution.

For real values of xx, the range of the function f(x)=2x32x24x6f(x) = \frac{2x - 3}{2x^2 - 4x - 6} is

  1. A.

    (,1/8][1,)(-\infty, -1/8] \cup [1, \infty)

  2. B.

    (,1/4][1,)(-\infty, -1/4] \cup [1, \infty)

  3. C.

    (,1/4][1/2,)(-\infty, -1/4] \cup [1/2, \infty)

  4. D.

    (,1/8][1/2,)(-\infty, -1/8] \cup [1/2, \infty)

Answer

A

Explanation

Let y=2x32x24x6y = \frac{2x - 3}{2x^2 - 4x - 6}. y(2x24x6)=2x3    2yx22(2y+1)x(6y3)=0y(2x^2 - 4x - 6) = 2x - 3 \implies 2y x^2 - 2(2y + 1)x - (6y - 3) = 0. For xRx \in \mathbb{R}, discriminant D0D \ge 0: D=4(2y+1)24(2y)((6y3))0D = 4(2y + 1)^2 - 4(2y)(-(6y - 3)) \ge 0 4(4y2+4y+1)+8y(6y3)04(4y^2 + 4y + 1) + 8y(6y - 3) \ge 0 16y2+16y+4+48y224y016y^2 + 16y + 4 + 48y^2 - 24y \ge 0 64y28y+4064y^2 - 8y + 4 \ge 0. Wait, let's re-calculate DD carefully: D/4=(2y+1)22y(6y+3)=4y2+4y+1+12y26y=16y22y+1>0D/4 = (2y+1)^2 - 2y(-6y+3) = 4y^2 + 4y + 1 + 12y^2 - 6y = 16y^2 - 2y + 1 > 0 for all yy. Wait! The domain excludes points where denominator is 0: 2x24x6=0    x22x3=0    x=3,12x^2 - 4x - 6 = 0 \implies x^2 - 2x - 3 = 0 \implies x = 3, -1. Since x3,1x \neq 3, -1, check values of yy excluded or bounded.

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