16Hit1600
Advanced MathVery hardSum of coefficients from two known solutions

Advanced Math practice question

The equation x² + bx + c = 0 has solutions −2 and 5, where b and c are constants. What is the value of b + c?

Answer: -13

(x + 2)(x − 5) = x² − 3x − 10, so b = −3, c = −10 and b + c = −13.

Common wrong answers

If you answered 7
7 adds the constants of the factors.
If you answered 13
13 has both signs wrong.
If you answered -7
−7 uses b = 3.

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