16Hit 1600
Advanced MathVery hardUnknown coefficient from a known expansion

Advanced Math practice question

For all x, (3x − 2)(ax + 5) = 12x² + 7x − 10. What is the value of a?

Answer: 4

The x² term gives 3a = 12, so a = 4. Check the middle term: 15x − 8x = 7x. ✓

Common wrong answers

If you answered 3
3 is the x-coefficient of the first factor; solve 3a = 12 for a = 4.
If you answered 5
5 is the constant in the second factor, given already.
If you answered 12
12 is the x² coefficient; a satisfies 3a = 12.

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