16Hit1600
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.

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