Advanced MathHardConstant term after two products cancel their squares
Advanced Math practice question
For all x, (2x + 3)(x − 1) − 2x(x + 1) = ax + b, where a and b are constants. What is the value of b?
Answer: -3 or −3
(2x² + x − 3) − (2x² + 2x) = −x − 3, so a = −1 and b = −3.
Common wrong answers
- If you answered 3
- 3 has the wrong sign.
- If you answered -1
- −1 is a, not b.
- If you answered -4
- −4 is a + b.
More Advanced Math questions
- Hard
A population of bacteria doubles every 3 hours. If it starts at 500, which function models the population P af… - Hard
How many real solutions does x² + 4x + 5 = 0 have? - Hard
A car worth $20,000 loses 15% of its value each year. What is its value after 2 years? - Hard
An investment of $1,000 grows at 6% per year, compounded annually. Which expression gives its value after t ye… - Hard
If f(x) = x² − 1 and g(x) = x + 2, what is g(f(3))? - Hard
The parabola y = x² − 8x + 12 crosses the x-axis at two points. What is the x-coordinate of the vertex?
Not affiliated with the College Board. SAT is a trademark of the College Board.