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Let 3≤x≤63 \leq x \leq 6 and [x2]=[x]2[x^2] = [x]^2, where [x][x] is the greatest integer not exceeding xx. If set SS represents all feasible values of xx, then a possible subset of SS is

Solution

✅ Correct Option: 3

[x][x] denotes the greatest integer not exceeding xx. For example, [3.5]=3[3.5] = 3, [4]=4[4] = 4, [5.99]=5[5.99] = 5.

Since 3≤x≤63 \le x \le 6, the possible values of [x][x] are 3,4,5,63, 4, 5, 6. Each case is considered separately.


When [x]=3[x] = 3, i.e., 3≤x<43 \le x < 4:

[x]2=9[x]^2 = 9

For [x2]=9[x^2] = 9, we need 9≤x2<109 \le x^2 < 10

3≤x<103 \le x < \sqrt{10}

Valid range: [3,10)[3, \sqrt{10}), i.e., [3,3.162...)[3, 3.162...)


When [x]=4[x] = 4, i.e., 4≤x<54 \le x < 5:

[x]2=16[x]^2 = 16

For [x2]=16[x^2] = 16, we need 16≤x2<1716 \le x^2 < 17

4≤x<174 \le x < \sqrt{17}

Valid range: [4,17)[4, \sqrt{17}), i.e., [4,4.123...)[4, 4.123...)


When [x]=5[x] = 5, i.e., 5≤x<65 \le x < 6:

[x]2=25[x]^2 = 25

For [x2]=25[x^2] = 25, we need 25≤x2<2625 \le x^2 < 26

5≤x<265 \le x < \sqrt{26}

Valid range: [5,26)[5, \sqrt{26}), i.e., [5,5.099...)[5, 5.099...)


When [x]=6[x] = 6, i.e., x=6x = 6:

[x]2=36[x]^2 = 36 and [x2]=[36]=36[x^2] = [36] = 36

Valid value: {6}\{6\}


Combining all cases:

S=[3,10)∪[4,17)∪[5,26)∪{6}S = [3, \sqrt{10}) \cup [4, \sqrt{17}) \cup [5, \sqrt{26}) \cup \{6\}

Any valid subset of SS must have all its elements lying within these intervals. Values like 3.5,4.5,5.53.5, 4.5, 5.5 do not belong to SS since they fall outside the valid ranges.

The answer is Option 3.

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