Here are the essential concepts you must grasp in order to answer the question correctly.
Derivative and its Interpretation
The derivative of a function, denoted f'(x), represents the rate of change of the function f(x) at a given point. If f'(x) < 2 for all x ≥ 2, it indicates that the slope of the tangent line to the curve of f(x) is always less than 2, meaning the function is increasing at a rate slower than 2 units per unit increase in x.
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Mean Value Theorem
The Mean Value Theorem states that if a function is continuous on a closed interval [a, b] and differentiable on the open interval (a, b), then there exists at least one point c in (a, b) such that f'(c) equals the average rate of change of the function over that interval. This theorem can be used to relate the values of f at different points based on the behavior of its derivative.
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Inequalities and Function Behavior
Understanding inequalities is crucial in analyzing function behavior. In this case, since f'(x) < 2, we can infer that the increase in f(x) from x = 2 to x = 4 is less than 2 times the change in x, which is 2. Therefore, f(4) must be less than f(2) + 2 * (4 - 2) = 7 + 4 = 11, leading to the conclusion that f(4) < 11.
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