Question:medium

A function $f: \mathbb{R} \to \mathbb{R}$ defined by $f(x) = \begin{cases} 2x+3, & x \le 4/3 \\ -3x^2+8x, & x>4/3 \end{cases}$ is

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To check if a function is onto, always compare its range with the codomain. If even a single value in the codomain is not achieved, the function is not surjective.
Updated On: Jun 14, 2026
  • One-one function
  • not onto
  • a bijective function
  • constant function
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The Correct Option is B

Solution and Explanation

To determine the nature of the function \( f: \mathbb{R} \to \mathbb{R} \) defined by \(f(x) = \begin{cases} 2x+3, & x \le \frac{4}{3} \\ -3x^2+8x, & x > \frac{4}{3} \end{cases}\), let's analyze each segment.

Step 1: Analyze the segment \( f(x) = 2x + 3 \) for \( x \le \frac{4}{3} \)

  • \(f(x) = 2x + 3\) is a linear function. A linear function with a non-zero coefficient of \( x \) is one-to-one unless restricted to a domain making it constant. Here, it's defined on the domain \( x \le \frac{4}{3} \), so it remains one-to-one.

Step 2: Analyze the segment \( f(x) = -3x^2 + 8x \) for \( x > \frac{4}{3} \)

  • \(f(x) = -3x^2 + 8x\) is a quadratic function opening downwards because the coefficient of \( x^2 \) is negative. Quadratic functions are not one-to-one unless specifically restricted in their domain.

Step 3: Determine if the complete function is onto (surjective)

  • A function \( f: \mathbb{R} \to \mathbb{R} \) is onto if for every real number \( y \), there exists some real \( x \) such that \( f(x) = y \).
  • For \( x \le \frac{4}{3} \), the range is \([-\infty, \frac{11}{3}]\).
  • For \( x > \frac{4}{3} \), since \( -3x^2 + 8x \) is a downward opening parabola with vertex at \(x = \frac{4}{3}\), it will take maximum values at the turning point and tend towards negative infinity.
  • An analysis of the vertex and the direction of the parabola indicates that for \( x > \frac{4}{3} \), there are gaps in the real numbers that cannot be reached by \( f(x) \).

Conclusion: The function is not onto because it does not cover all real numbers in its range. Thus, the correct answer is "not onto".

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