SOLUTION: Find the constant term that should be added to make the following expression a perfect-square trinomial. x^2-2x

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Question 88267: Find the constant term that should be added to make the following expression a perfect-square trinomial.
x^2-2x


Found 2 solutions by jim_thompson5910, stanbon:
Answer by jim_thompson5910(35256) About Me  (Show Source):
You can put this solution on YOUR website!
Take half of the x coefficient -2 to get -1 like this
-2%2F2=-1

Now square -1

%28-1%29%5E2=1

Answer:

So the term to add is 1

Notice if we factor

x%5E2-2x%2B1

we get

%28x-1%29%28x-1%29=%28x-1%29%5E2

and this verifies our answer

Answer by stanbon(75887) About Me  (Show Source):
You can put this solution on YOUR website!
Find the constant term that should be added to make the following expression a perfect-square trinomial.
x^2-2x
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x^2-2x+(2/2)^2 = x^2-2x+1 (this is a perfect square trinomial)
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Cheers,
Stan H.