Domain of Composite Rational Functions

CAT 2025 Slot 3 · Quantitative Ability · Hard · Functions

For real values of xx, the range of the function f(x)=2x−32x2−4x−6f(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=2x−32x2−4x−6y = \frac{2x - 3}{2x^2 - 4x - 6}. y(2x2−4x−6)=2x−3  ⟹  2yx2−2(2y+1)x−(6y−3)=0y(2x^2 - 4x - 6) = 2x - 3 \implies 2y x^2 - 2(2y + 1)x - (6y - 3) = 0. For x∈Rx \in \mathbb{R}, discriminant D≥0D \ge 0: D=4(2y+1)2−4(2y)(−(6y−3))≥0D = 4(2y + 1)^2 - 4(2y)(-(6y - 3)) \ge 0 4(4y2+4y+1)+8y(6y−3)≥04(4y^2 + 4y + 1) + 8y(6y - 3) \ge 0 16y2+16y+4+48y2−24y≥016y^2 + 16y + 4 + 48y^2 - 24y \ge 0 64y2−8y+4≥064y^2 - 8y + 4 \ge 0. Wait, let's re-calculate DD carefully: D/4=(2y+1)2−2y(−6y+3)=4y2+4y+1+12y2−6y=16y2−2y+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: 2x2−4x−6=0  ⟹  x2−2x−3=0  ⟹  x=3,−12x^2 - 4x - 6 = 0 \implies x^2 - 2x - 3 = 0 \implies x = 3, -1. Since x≠3,−1x \neq 3, -1, check values of yy excluded or bounded.

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