86.1k views
0 votes
What value of c would make this polynomial a perfect square?

x^2 - 12x + c
I REALLY NEED THIS ANSWERED!!!

User Florentino
by
8.1k points

1 Answer

3 votes
Answer:
c = 36

Step-by-step explanation:
The perfect square in case of negative middle term has a general form of:
(x-a)^2
and is expanded as:
x^2 - 2ax + a^2
The given expression is:
x^2 - 12x + c

Comparing the given expression to the general one, we will find that:
2ax = 12x
2a = 12
a = 6

Now, comparing the two expressions again, we will find that:
c = a^2
c = (6)^2
c = 36

Therefore, when c=36, the given expression would be a perfect square factorized as (x-6)^2

Hope this helps :)
User Maciej Wojcik
by
8.5k points

No related questions found

Welcome to QAmmunity.org, where you can ask questions and receive answers from other members of our community.

9.4m questions

12.2m answers

Categories