SOLUTION: Find the constant term that should be added to make the following expression a perfect-square trinomial. X^2+16x

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Question 775554: Find the constant term that should be added to make the following expression a perfect-square trinomial. X^2+16x
Answer by josgarithmetic(39617) About Me  (Show Source):
You can put this solution on YOUR website!
x%5E2%2B16x=x%28x%2B16%29

The numbers, x and x+16 are the side lengths of a rectangle. This rectangle contains a square of area x^2 and a smaller rectangle of side lengths x and 16. DRAW THE DESCRIPTION!

Cut the x by 16 rectangle in half along the x direction so that you have a rectangle x by 8; and rotate this piece a quarter turn, and put it in contact onto a neighboring x length of the x by x square.

You should find that you now have almost a square shape but with a small square piece missing. WHAT is the area of this small missing piece?

You should find that the missing piece has an area of %2816%2F2%29%5E2=64 square units. If you now COMPLETE the SQUARE, you will have a factorable trinomial expression.