Final answer:
Subtraction results in the smallest coefficient on the x term.
Step-by-step explanation:
To determine which operation results in the smallest coefficient on the x term, we need to consider the functions f(x) = 3x - 1 and g(x) = 3x + 4.
Addition: When we add f(x) and g(x), we get h(x) = f(x) + g(x) = (3x - 1) + (3x + 4) = 6x + 3. The coefficient on the x term is 6.
Subtraction: When we subtract g(x) from f(x), we get h(x) = f(x) - g(x) = (3x - 1) - (3x + 4) = -5. The coefficient on the x term is 0.
Multiplication: When we multiply f(x) and g(x), we get h(x) = (3x - 1) * (3x + 4) = 9x^2 + 9x - 4. The coefficient on the x term is 9.
Division: When we divide f(x) by g(x), we get h(x) = (3x - 1) / (3x + 4). The coefficient on the x term is still 1.
Therefore, the operation that results in the smallest coefficient on the x term is subtraction (option b).