Advanced MathVery hardSum of two squared binomials
Advanced Math practice question
For all values of x, (x + 2)² + (x − 2)² = ax² + b, where a and b are constants. What is the value of a + b?
Answer: 10
(x² + 4x + 4) + (x² − 4x + 4) = 2x² + 8, so a + b = 10.
Common wrong answers
- If you answered 2
- 2 is a alone.
- If you answered 8
- 8 is b alone.
- If you answered 18
- 18 uses b = 16.
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