Select the correct answer.

For what value of [tex]g[/tex] does the function [tex]f(g) = g^2 + 3g[/tex] equal [tex]18[/tex]?

A. 2
B. 3
C. 4
D. 6
E. 8



Answer :

To determine the value of [tex]\( g \)[/tex] that satisfies the equation [tex]\( f(g) = g^2 + 3g = 18 \)[/tex], let's follow these steps:

1. Write down the given equation:
[tex]\[ g^2 + 3g = 18 \][/tex]

2. Rearrange the equation to standard quadratic form:
[tex]\[ g^2 + 3g - 18 = 0 \][/tex]

3. Solve the quadratic equation [tex]\( g^2 + 3g - 18 = 0 \)[/tex]:

To solve the quadratic equation, we can use the quadratic formula, [tex]\( g = \frac{-b \pm \sqrt{b^2 - 4ac}}{2a} \)[/tex], where [tex]\( a = 1 \)[/tex], [tex]\( b = 3 \)[/tex], and [tex]\( c = -18 \)[/tex].

Let's calculate the discriminant ([tex]\( \Delta \)[/tex]) first:
[tex]\[ \Delta = b^2 - 4ac = 3^2 - 4(1)(-18) = 9 + 72 = 81 \][/tex]

Now, take the square root of the discriminant:
[tex]\[ \sqrt{\Delta} = \sqrt{81} = 9 \][/tex]

Substitute the values into the quadratic formula:
[tex]\[ g = \frac{-b \pm \sqrt{\Delta}}{2a} = \frac{-3 \pm 9}{2} \][/tex]

This gives us two possible solutions:
[tex]\[ g_1 = \frac{-3 + 9}{2} = \frac{6}{2} = 3 \][/tex]
[tex]\[ g_2 = \frac{-3 - 9}{2} = \frac{-12}{2} = -6 \][/tex]

4. Identify the valid solution from the given choices:

The possible value for [tex]\( g \)[/tex] from the multiple-choice options are [tex]\(\{2, 3, 4, 6, 8\}\)[/tex].

Comparing the solutions, [tex]\( g = 3 \)[/tex] is the valid solution within the given choices.

So, the correct answer is:
[tex]\[ \boxed{3} \][/tex]