SOLUTION: Could someone please help me find the constant term that should be added to make the following expression a perfect-square trinomial. {{{x^2+7x}}}

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Question 102612: Could someone please help me find the constant term that should be added to make the following expression a perfect-square trinomial. x%5E2%2B7x
Found 2 solutions by jim_thompson5910, edjones:
Answer by jim_thompson5910(35256) About Me  (Show Source):
You can put this solution on YOUR website!

x%5E2%2B7x Start with the given equation



Take half of the x coefficient 7 to get 3.5 (ie 7%2F2=3.5)
Now square 3.5 to get 12.25 (ie %283.5%29%5E2=12.25)



x%5E2%2B7x%2B12.25 Add this result 12.25 to the current expression.


Now the expression x%5E2%2B7x%2B12.25 is a perfect square trinomial.

Answer by edjones(8007) About Me  (Show Source):
You can put this solution on YOUR website!
x%5E2%2B7x
divide the 2nd term in half and square it.
7/2=3.5
3.5^2=12.25
x^2+7x+12.5 Ans.
Ed