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SAT Math: Domain and Range of Functions

25+ practice questions in Praczo

What you need to know

The concept, explained

  • 1

    Domain: all valid input values (x). Range: all possible output values (y or f(x)).

  • 2

    For fractions, exclude x-values that make the denominator zero.

  • 3

    For square roots (and even roots), the expression under the radical must be ≥ 0.

  • 4

    For a graph, the domain is read left to right (x-values), the range from bottom to top (y-values).

  • 5

    The SAT often asks: "Which value is NOT in the domain?" — set the denominator to zero or the radicand to negative and solve.

Common mistakes
  • Confusing domain (inputs) with range (outputs) — domain is x, range is y.
  • For f(x) = 1/(x−3), excluding x = 3 from the range instead of the domain.
Try a sample question

SAT-style practice

What is the domain of f(x) = √(x − 4)?

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