Browse · MATH
Printjmc
algebra intermediate
Problem
If is a constant such that is equal to the square of a binomial, then what is ?
Solution
If is the square of a binomial, then because the coefficient of is , the binomial must be of the form for some .
Expanding, we have . For this to be equal to , the coefficients of must agree, so must be equal to . This gives , and so the constant term is .
Expanding, we have . For this to be equal to , the coefficients of must agree, so must be equal to . This gives , and so the constant term is .
Final answer
\frac{625}4