document.write( "Question 1045163: How do I solve this word problem?
\n" ); document.write( "The polynomial in x has degree 3. The coefficient of x^2 is 3 less than the coefficient of x^3. The coefficient of x is 3 times the coefficient of x^2. The remaining coefficient is 2 more than the coefficient of x^3. The sum of the coefficients is -4. Find the polynomial.
\n" ); document.write( "

Algebra.Com's Answer #660571 by MathTherapy(10552)\"\" \"About 
You can put this solution on YOUR website!
How do I solve this word problem?
\n" ); document.write( "The polynomial in x has degree 3. The coefficient of x^2 is 3 less than the coefficient of x^3. The coefficient of x is 3 times the coefficient of x^2. The remaining coefficient is 2 more than the coefficient of x^3. The sum of the coefficients is -4. Find the polynomial.
\n" ); document.write( "
 You only need ONE (1) variable. Don't confuse yourself with too many unnecessary variables.
\n" ); document.write( "Let the coefficient on \"x%5E3\" be a
\n" ); document.write( "Then the coefficient on \"x%5E2\" = a - 3
\n" ); document.write( "The coefficient on x is: 3(a - 3)
\n" ); document.write( "The constant is: a + 2
\n" ); document.write( "This gives us: \"matrix%284%2C1%2C+ax%5E3%2C%28a+-+3%29x%5E2%2C3%28a+-+3%29x%2C%28a+%2B+2%29%29\"
\n" ); document.write( "Since all coefficients sum to - 4, we get: a + (a - 3) + 3(a - 3) + (a + 2) = - 4
\n" ); document.write( "a + a - 3 + 3a - 9 + a + 2 = - 4
\n" ); document.write( "6a - 10 = - 4
\n" ); document.write( "6a = 6
\n" ); document.write( "a = 1
\n" ); document.write( "Therefore, \"matrix%284%2C1%2C+ax%5E3%2C%28a+-+3%29x%5E2%2C3%28a+-+3%29x%2C%28a+%2B+2%29%29\" becomes: \"matrix%284%2C1%2C+1x%5E3%2C%281+-+3%29x%5E2%2C3%281+-+3%29x%2C%281+%2B+2%29%29\" ----- Substituting 1 for a
\n" ); document.write( "The polynomial is: \"highlight_green%28x%5E3+-+2x%5E2+-+6x+%2B+3%29\"
\n" ); document.write( "It is that simple...nothing COMPLEX! \n" ); document.write( "
\n" );