document.write( "Question 953126: Explain how to find the constant that must be added to make a binomial into a perfect square trinomial. \n" ); document.write( "

Algebra.Com's Answer #582050 by macston(5194) $\"\"$ $\"About$

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Sample equation: $\"2x%5E2%2B16x-96=0\"$
\n" ); document.write( "Separate variable and constants(move the number to the other side)
\n" ); document.write( " $\"2x%5E2%2B16x=96\"$
\n" ); document.write( "Divide each side by the coefficient of the squared term.
\n" ); document.write( " $\"x%5E2%2B8x=48\"$
\n" ); document.write( "Take 1/2 the coefficient of the x term (note the sign) and square it. Add this square to each side of the equation (1/2)(8)=4; squared=16
\n" ); document.write( " $\"x%5E2%2B8x%2B16=48%2B16\"$ Write the left side in squared form (use the sign noted earlier)
\n" ); document.write( " $\"%28x%2B4%29%5E2=64\"$ Find the square root of each side and solve.
\n" ); document.write( "x+4= plus/minus 8
\n" ); document.write( "x=4 or x=-12\r
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