Advanced MathVery hardSum of coefficients after combining several products
Advanced Math practice question
For all values of x, (x + 4)(x − 4) + 16 + 2x(x − 1) = ax² + bx, where a and b are constants. What is the value of a + b?
Answer: 1
x² − 16 + 16 + 2x² − 2x = 3x² − 2x, so a + b = 3 + (−2) = 1.
Common wrong answers
- If you answered 3
- 3 is a alone.
- If you answered 5
- 5 uses b = 2 with the sign wrong.
- If you answered -2
- −2 is b alone.
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