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Given that x - x - 2 and r + kr - 10x + 6 have a common factor, find the possible values of k.

a) -2
b) -3
c) 2
d) 3

User Mwarger
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1 Answer

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Final answer:

To find the possible values of k for which the expressions x - x - 2 and r + kr - 10x + 6 have a common factor, we factorize each expression and set their common factors equal to each other. Solving the resulting equation yields k = -2.

Step-by-step explanation:

The given expressions are x - x - 2 and r + kr - 10x + 6. To find the possible values of k for which these expressions have a common factor, we need to factorize each expression. Factoring x - x - 2 gives us (x - 2)(x + 1). Factoring r + kr - 10x + 6 gives us r(1 + k) - 2(5x - 3).

Now, we set the common factors of the two expressions equal to each other. (x - 2)(x + 1) = r(1 + k) - 2(5x - 3). Expanding this equation and simplifying gives us x² - x - 2 = (r - 10)x + (-2r + 9).

Comparing the coefficients of x on both sides, we get -1 = r - 10, which implies r = 9. Now, we substitute r = 9 into the equation and solve for k. -2 = -2r + 9(1 + k), which simplifies to -2 = -18 + 9k. Solving this equation gives us k = -2.

User Fernferret
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