document.write( "<A HREF=/cgi-bin/jump-to-question.mpl?question=39284>Question 39284</A>: <I><SPAN STYLE=\"word-break: break-all;\"> determine the constant that should be added to the binomial so that it becomes a perfect square trinomial. factor the trinomial.  x^-5x </SPAN>\n" );
document.write( "</I><HR><TABLE width=100%><TR><TD><B><A HREF=http://www.algebra.com/>Algebra.Com's</A> Answer #24717 by </B><A HREF=/tutors/aboutme.mpl?userid=fractalier><B>fractalier(6550)</B></A><img src=\"/images/stars/stars-13.gif\" alt=\"\" >&nbsp;<A HREF=/tutors/aboutme.mpl?userid=fractalier><IMG SRC=http://www.algebra.com/images/aboutme-small.gif BORDER=0 alt=\"About Me\" VALIGN=MIDDLE></A>&nbsp;<IMG SRC=http://www.algebra.com/cgi-bin/show-face.mpl?user=fractalier><BR>You can <A HREF=\"/cgi-bin/embed-solution.mpl?show=1&solution=24717\">put this solution on YOUR website!</A><BR><SPAN STYLE=\"word-break: break-all;\"> You probably meant<BR>\n" );
document.write( "x^2 - 5x<BR>\n" );
document.write( "The number we add is<BR>\n" );
document.write( "half of -5, squared...that is<BR>\n" );
document.write( "[(1/2)(-5)]^2 = (-5/2)^2 = 25/4<BR>\n" );
document.write( "and is always positive.<BR>\n" );
document.write( "So from x^2 - 5x + 25/4, we factor it as<BR>\n" );
document.write( "(x - 5/2)^2.<BR>\n" );
document.write( "Notice the -5/2 is half of the original -5 from above... </SPAN>\n" );
document.write( "</TD></TR></TABLE>\n" );