SOLUTION: x^2+kx+36 what is the value of k for which the expression is a perfect square trinomial

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Question 977321: x^2+kx+36 what is the value of k for which the expression is a perfect square trinomial
Found 3 solutions by Alan3354, josgarithmetic, MathTherapy:
Answer by Alan3354(69443) About Me  (Show Source):
You can put this solution on YOUR website!
x^2+kx+36 what is the value of k for which the expression is a perfect square trinomial
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It's ax^2 + bx + 36
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For a perfect sq trinomial,
c = (b/2)^2
c = b^2/4
b+=+sqrt%284c%29
k = b

Answer by josgarithmetic(39617) About Me  (Show Source):
You can put this solution on YOUR website!
k=12 or k=-12, but you probably want to see some steps.

You are looking for (x+6)(x+6) because you know you want the constant term to be 36. You can also try using descriminant, but that should not be needed for this simple example.

k%5E2-4%2A36=0
k%5E2=4%2A36
k=sqrt%284%2A36%29
k=0%2B-+2%2A6

Answer by MathTherapy(10552) About Me  (Show Source):
You can put this solution on YOUR website!

x^2+kx+36 what is the value of k for which the expression is a perfect square trinomial

Complete the square to get a perfect square trinomial
x%5E2+%2B+kx+%2B+36
This means that: %28%281%2F2%29k%29%5E2+=+36
%28k%2F2%29%5E2+=+36
k%2F2+=+%22+%22+%2B-sqrt%2836%29 ------ Taking square root of both sides
k%2F2+=+%22+%22+%2B-+6
k+=+%22+%22+%2B-+2%286%29 ------- Cross-multiplying
highlight_green%28k+=+%22+%22+%2B-+12%29