College

Select the correct answer.

What is the domain of the function [tex]h[/tex]?

[tex]h(x) = \sqrt{x-7} + 5[/tex]

A. [tex]x \leq 5[/tex]
B. [tex]x \geq 5[/tex]
C. [tex]x \leq -7[/tex]
D. [tex]x \geq 7[/tex]

Answer :

To find the domain of the function [tex]\( h(x) = \sqrt{x-7} + 5 \)[/tex], we need to ensure that any expression under the square root is non-negative, because square root is only defined for non-negative numbers in the set of real numbers.

Here's how you determine it step-by-step:

1. Look at the expression inside the square root: [tex]\( x - 7 \)[/tex].
2. Set up the inequality so that expression under the square root is greater than or equal to zero:
[tex]\[
x - 7 \geq 0
\][/tex]
3. Solve the inequality for [tex]\( x \)[/tex]:
[tex]\[
x \geq 7
\][/tex]

Therefore, the domain of the function [tex]\( h \)[/tex] consists of all values of [tex]\( x \)[/tex] that are greater than or equal to 7. In interval notation, this is written as [tex]\([7, \infty)\)[/tex].

From the given options, the correct choice is:
- D. [tex]\(x \geq 7\)[/tex]

This means the function is defined for all real numbers [tex]\( x \)[/tex] that are 7 or larger, ensuring that the square root operation is valid.