16Hit1600
AlgebraVery hardValue of a constant for infinitely many solutions

Algebra practice question

In the equation 6x − 2(x + c) = 4x − 10, c is a constant. For what value of c does the equation have infinitely many solutions?

  1. A. 5Correct
  2. B. −5
  3. C. 10
  4. D. There is no such value.

Answer: A. 5

Expand: 6x − 2x − 2c = 4x − 10, so 4x − 2c = 4x − 10. The x-terms match, so the equation holds for every x exactly when −2c = −10, i.e. c = 5.

Why the other answers are wrong

B. −5
c = −5 gives 4x + 10 = 4x − 10, which is never true (no solution).
C. 10
c = 10 gives 4x − 20 = 4x − 10, no solution.
D. There is no such value.
c = 5 makes both sides identical, so a value does exist.

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