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What value of c would make this polynomial a perfect square?

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

User Florentino
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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
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