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jmc

algebra intermediate

Problem

Let , , and be polynomials such that . If the constant term of is and the constant term of is 3, what is ?
Solution
Because , the constant term of equals the product of the constant terms of and . We are told that the constant terms of and are 3 and , respectively. Let the constant term of be . When we evaluate , all terms with in them equal 0, so we are left with the constant term, . Therefore, . So, we must have , from which we find .
Final answer
-\frac{3}{4}