SOLUTION: Here is one that I am completely stumped on: Find a value for k that will make 4x^2 + 6.4x +k a perfect square. Describe the procedure that you used which requires algebra, not

Algebra ->  Polynomials-and-rational-expressions -> SOLUTION: Here is one that I am completely stumped on: Find a value for k that will make 4x^2 + 6.4x +k a perfect square. Describe the procedure that you used which requires algebra, not       Log On


   



Question 173656: Here is one that I am completely stumped on:
Find a value for k that will make 4x^2 + 6.4x +k a perfect square. Describe the procedure that you used which requires algebra, not trial and error.
HELP!!!

Found 2 solutions by vleith, Fombitz:
Answer by vleith(2983) About Me  (Show Source):
You can put this solution on YOUR website!
For a perfect square, the form is
%28x%2BB%29%5E2
x%5E2+%2B+2Bx+%2B+B%5E2
So let's get the original equation in the correct form
4x%5E2+%2B+6.4x+%2Bk
x%5E2+%2B+6.4%2F4x+%2B+k%2F4
Now use the values in your eqaution and set them equal to the ones that make up the 'correct form'
6.4%2F4+=+2B
6.4%2F8+=+B

{{k/4 = B^2}}
k+=+4%2AB%5E2
k+=+4+%2A+%286.4%2F8%29%5E2
Now just grind that out and check your answer

Answer by Fombitz(32388) About Me  (Show Source):
You can put this solution on YOUR website!
A perfect square would mean,
4x%5E2+%2B+6.4x+%2Bk=%28ax%2Bb%29%5E2
If we expand the right hand side, we get,
%28ax%2Bb%29%5E2=a%5E2%2Ax%5E2%2B%282ab%29x%2Bb%5E2
Let's compare coefficients with your equation,
1.a%5E2=4
2.2ab=6.4
3.b%5E2=k
From 1, a can be either 2 or -2.
Let's start with a=2 and find the others,
From 2,
2ab=6.4
2%282%29b=6.4
b=6.4%2F4=1.6
From 3,
b%5E2=k
k=%281.6%29%5E2
k=2.56
.
.
.
We can also work with a=-2.
From 2,
2ab=6.4
2%28-2%29b=6.4
b=6.4%2F%28-4%29=-1.6
From 3,
b%5E2=k
k=%28-1.6%29%5E2
k=2.56
And we're led to the same answer.