Chapter 5: Problem 24
Find the value of c that makes each trinomial a perfect square. Then write the trinomial as a perfect square. \(x^{2}+16 x+c\)
Short Answer
Expert verified
The value of c is 64, making the trinomial \((x+8)^2\).
Step by step solution
01
Understand what a perfect square is
A trinomial is a perfect square if it can be written in the form \((ax + b)^2\) which expands to \(a^2x^2 + 2abx + b^2\). Here, we need to identify the value of \(c\) that will make \(x^2 + 16x + c\) fit this format.
02
Identify the middle term
For the trinomial to be a perfect square, \(2ab\) from the expanded form must match the middle term of the trinomial which is 16x here. Therefore, \(2ab = 16x\). Since \(a\) in our trinomial is 1, we equate \(2 \cdot 1 \cdot b\) to 16 and solve for \(b\).
03
Solve for b
Solving \(2b = 16\), we divide both sides by 2 to find \(b\). This gives us \(b = 8\).
04
Find c using the value of b
Knowing that \(b = 8\), recall that a perfect square trinomial \((x + b)^2\) expands to \(x^2 + 2bx + b^2\). Therefore, \(c = b^2 = 8^2 = 64\). So, \(c = 64\).
05
Write the trinomial as a perfect square
With \(c\) found, the trinomial \(x^2 + 16x + 64\) is the same as \((x + 8)^2\) when expanded. Thus, \(x^2 + 16x + c = (x+8)^2\) when \(c = 64\).
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Key Concepts
These are the key concepts you need to understand to accurately answer the question.
Trinomial
A trinomial is a type of polynomial that consists of three terms, hence the prefix "tri-" which signifies three. In mathematical expressions, trinomials are presented in the form \(ax^2 + bx + c\). This structure contains three important components:
- The term \(ax^2\) is the quadratic term.
- The term \(bx\) is the linear term.
- The term \(c\) is the constant term.
Square of a Binomial
The square of a binomial is a significant concept in algebra that frequently simplifies problems and helps us understand more complex expressions. A binomial is an expression that consists of two terms. When we square a binomial, it means we are multiplying the binomial by itself. The formula for the square of a binomial \((ax + b)^2\) is:
- It initially transforms into \((ax + b)(ax + b)\).
- When expanded, it is expressed as \(a^2x^2 + 2abx + b^2\).
Expanding Trinomials
When we refer to expanding trinomials, we're detailing a process where an expression in factored form is fully multiplied out. While in reverse, forming a trinomial into a square form simplifies handling the expression, expanding a trinomial involves expressing it completely in polynomial form.To expand a trinomial that is a perfect square, you would write it as a product of two binomials, such as:
- Starting from \((x + 8)^2\).
- Expanding it into \((x + 8)(x + 8)\).
- Finally, resulting in \(x^2 + 16x + 64\) once the binomials are multiplied out.