Advanced MathHardCoefficient in an expanded product of three factors
Advanced Math practice question
When x(x + 1)(x + 2) is written as x³ + ax² + bx, what is the value of a + b?
Answer: 5
(x + 1)(x + 2) = x² + 3x + 2, and multiplying by x gives x³ + 3x² + 2x. So a + b = 3 + 2 = 5.
Common wrong answers
- If you answered 2
- 2 is b alone.
- If you answered 3
- 3 is a alone.
- If you answered 6
- 6 is 1 + 2 + 3, adding the visible numbers.
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