If (ax+1)(bx+3)=6x2+cx+3 for all values of x, and a+b=5, what are the two possible values for c ?
Expand the expression on the left side first:
(ax+1)(bx+3)
abx2+bx+3ax+3
Let's compare this with the equation on the other side, taking care to identify corresponding parts:
abx2+bx+3ax+3=6x2+cx+3
From the above, we get the following equations:
abx2=6x2
ab=6
From the linear terms
bx+3ax=cx
b+3a=c
We are given that a+b=5, which we can use along with ab=6 to identify possible values for a and b. We can solve the system using tradional methods, or use a bit of mental math.
a and b=3 or 2
c can have two answers, based on the values we assign a and b.
c=b+3a
c=3+3(2)
c=9
c=2+3(3)
c=11
c=9 and 11