16Hit1600
Advanced MathHardPerfect-square trinomial constant

Advanced Math practice question

For what value of c is x² + 10x + c a perfect square of a binomial?

Answer: 25

A perfect square (x + a)² = x² + 2ax + a². Here 2a = 10, so a = 5 and c = a² = 25.

Common wrong answers

If you answered 5
5 is a, not a².
If you answered 10
10 is the coefficient b, not c.
If you answered 100
100 is 10², squaring the whole coefficient instead of half of it.

More Advanced Math questions

Not affiliated with the College Board. SAT is a trademark of the College Board.