9
advanced-math

Identify the missing constant cc that makes x2+10x+cx^2 + 10x + c a perfect square trinomial.

A

10

B

20

C

25

D

100

Correct Answer: C

Choice C is the correct answer. To complete the square for an expression x2+bxx^2 + bx:

  1. Take the coefficient of xx, which is b=10b = 10.
  2. Divide it by 2: 10/2=510 / 2 = 5.
  3. Square the result: 52=255^2 = 25.

So, c=25c = 25. The expression becomes x2+10x+25x^2 + 10x + 25, which factors to (x+5)2(x + 5)^2.

Choice A is incorrect because it is just bb. Choice B is incorrect because it is 2b2b. Choice D is incorrect because it is b2b^2.