Asked by Anthony
In the equation x^2 + mx + n = 0, m and n are integers. The only possible value for x is -3. What is the value of m?
If I substitute -3 and solve for m, I can get many values for m based on what I pick for n. How can the answer only be 6?
If I substitute -3 and solve for m, I can get many values for m based on what I pick for n. How can the answer only be 6?
Answers
Answered by
Steve
If the only possible value for x is 3, then the function must factor into
(x+3)(x+3) = x^2+6x+9
When they say the only possible value, they mean the only value which makes the equation true. Naturally, x can have many other values, but in those cases, the value on the left is not zero.
If they had said that there was only a single root of -3, you probably would have had no trouble, eh?
(x+3)(x+3) = x^2+6x+9
When they say the only possible value, they mean the only value which makes the equation true. Naturally, x can have many other values, but in those cases, the value on the left is not zero.
If they had said that there was only a single root of -3, you probably would have had no trouble, eh?
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