Advanced MathEasy–MediumConstant in a squared binomial
Advanced Math practice question
If (x − a)² = x² − 14x + 49 for all values of x, where a is a positive constant, what is the value of a?
Answer: 7
(x − a)² = x² − 2ax + a², so 2a = 14 and a = 7.
Common wrong answers
- If you answered 14
- 14 is 2a.
- If you answered 49
- 49 is a².
- If you answered -7
- −7 is ruled out because a is positive.
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