Factor completely: b^2 + 3b - 4
- A. (b + 4)(b - 1)
- B. (b - 2)(b - 3)
- C. (b + 1)(b + 2)
- D. (b + 3)(b - 1)
Correct Answer & Rationale
Correct Answer: A
To factor the expression \( b^2 + 3b - 4 \), we need two numbers that multiply to \(-4\) (the constant term) and add to \(3\) (the coefficient of \(b\)). The numbers \(4\) and \(-1\) satisfy these conditions, leading to the factors \( (b + 4)(b - 1) \). Option B, \( (b - 2)(b - 3) \), yields \( b^2 - 5b + 6\), which does not match the original expression. Option C, \( (b + 1)(b + 2) \), results in \( b^2 + 3b + 2\), also incorrect due to the wrong sign on the constant term. Option D, \( (b + 3)(b - 1) \), gives \( b^2 + 2b - 3\), which again does not match. Thus, only option A correctly factors the expression.
To factor the expression \( b^2 + 3b - 4 \), we need two numbers that multiply to \(-4\) (the constant term) and add to \(3\) (the coefficient of \(b\)). The numbers \(4\) and \(-1\) satisfy these conditions, leading to the factors \( (b + 4)(b - 1) \). Option B, \( (b - 2)(b - 3) \), yields \( b^2 - 5b + 6\), which does not match the original expression. Option C, \( (b + 1)(b + 2) \), results in \( b^2 + 3b + 2\), also incorrect due to the wrong sign on the constant term. Option D, \( (b + 3)(b - 1) \), gives \( b^2 + 2b - 3\), which again does not match. Thus, only option A correctly factors the expression.
Other Related Questions
The Willis Canyon Dam releases an average of 1,733,400 cubic feet of water every day. Based on that average, how many cubic feet of water does the dam release every minute?
Correct Answer & Rationale
Correct Answer: 1200.4167
To find the water released per minute, divide the daily release by the number of minutes in a day. There are 1,440 minutes in a day (24 hours x 60 minutes). Dividing 1,733,400 cubic feet by 1,440 minutes gives approximately 1,200.4167 cubic feet per minute. Other options are incorrect because they either miscalculate the division or fail to account for the total number of minutes in a day, leading to significantly higher or lower values. Accurate conversion of daily figures to minute rates is crucial for proper understanding.
To find the water released per minute, divide the daily release by the number of minutes in a day. There are 1,440 minutes in a day (24 hours x 60 minutes). Dividing 1,733,400 cubic feet by 1,440 minutes gives approximately 1,200.4167 cubic feet per minute. Other options are incorrect because they either miscalculate the division or fail to account for the total number of minutes in a day, leading to significantly higher or lower values. Accurate conversion of daily figures to minute rates is crucial for proper understanding.
Select the factors for the following expression 2x^2 - xy - 3y^2
- A. (2x+3y)(x-y)
- B. (x+y)(2x-3y)
- C. (2x-y)(x+3y)
- D. (2x-3y)(x+y)
Correct Answer & Rationale
Correct Answer: D
To factor the expression \(2x^2 - xy - 3y^2\), we look for two binomials that multiply to give the original expression. Option D, \((2x-3y)(x+y)\), expands to \(2x^2 + 2xy - 3xy - 3y^2\), which simplifies to \(2x^2 - xy - 3y^2\), matching the original expression. Option A, \((2x+3y)(x-y)\), expands to \(2x^2 - 2xy + 3xy - 3y^2\), resulting in \(2x^2 + xy - 3y^2\), which is incorrect. Option B, \((x+y)(2x-3y)\), gives \(2x^2 - 3xy + 2xy - 3y^2\), simplifying to \(2x^2 - xy - 3y^2\), but the signs do not match the original expression. Option C, \((2x-y)(x+3y)\), expands to \(2x^2 + 6xy - xy - 3y^2\), leading to \(2x^2 + 5xy - 3y^2\), which is also incorrect. Thus, only Option D correctly factors the expression.
To factor the expression \(2x^2 - xy - 3y^2\), we look for two binomials that multiply to give the original expression. Option D, \((2x-3y)(x+y)\), expands to \(2x^2 + 2xy - 3xy - 3y^2\), which simplifies to \(2x^2 - xy - 3y^2\), matching the original expression. Option A, \((2x+3y)(x-y)\), expands to \(2x^2 - 2xy + 3xy - 3y^2\), resulting in \(2x^2 + xy - 3y^2\), which is incorrect. Option B, \((x+y)(2x-3y)\), gives \(2x^2 - 3xy + 2xy - 3y^2\), simplifying to \(2x^2 - xy - 3y^2\), but the signs do not match the original expression. Option C, \((2x-y)(x+3y)\), expands to \(2x^2 + 6xy - xy - 3y^2\), leading to \(2x^2 + 5xy - 3y^2\), which is also incorrect. Thus, only Option D correctly factors the expression.
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The table shows the costs of items Anna purchased at an art supply store for her art class.
What was the total cost of the items that Anna purchased?
Correct Answer & Rationale
Correct Answer: 128.65
To find the total cost of Anna's purchases, add the individual prices of each item she bought. Summing these values accurately gives a total of 128.65. Other options are incorrect because they result from either miscalculating the addition or omitting an item from the total. For instance, if an item was not included, the total would be lower than 128.65. Conversely, adding extra costs or misreading the prices could lead to an inflated total. Therefore, precise addition of all listed costs is essential to arrive at the correct total.
To find the total cost of Anna's purchases, add the individual prices of each item she bought. Summing these values accurately gives a total of 128.65. Other options are incorrect because they result from either miscalculating the addition or omitting an item from the total. For instance, if an item was not included, the total would be lower than 128.65. Conversely, adding extra costs or misreading the prices could lead to an inflated total. Therefore, precise addition of all listed costs is essential to arrive at the correct total.
What is the slope of a line that is perpendicular to the line y = -9x + 7?
- A. 1\9
- B. -0.111111111
- C. 9
- D. -9
Correct Answer & Rationale
Correct Answer: A
To find the slope of a line perpendicular to the line given by the equation \(y = -9x + 7\), first identify the slope of the original line, which is \(-9\). The slope of a line perpendicular to another is the negative reciprocal of the original slope. The negative reciprocal of \(-9\) is \(\frac{1}{9}\). Option A, \(\frac{1}{9}\), is the correct slope. Option B, \(-0.111111111\), is incorrect as it represents \(-\frac{1}{9}\), not the positive reciprocal. Option C, \(9\), is incorrect because it is the opposite sign of the required reciprocal. Option D, \(-9\), is simply the original slope and does not represent a perpendicular relationship.
To find the slope of a line perpendicular to the line given by the equation \(y = -9x + 7\), first identify the slope of the original line, which is \(-9\). The slope of a line perpendicular to another is the negative reciprocal of the original slope. The negative reciprocal of \(-9\) is \(\frac{1}{9}\). Option A, \(\frac{1}{9}\), is the correct slope. Option B, \(-0.111111111\), is incorrect as it represents \(-\frac{1}{9}\), not the positive reciprocal. Option C, \(9\), is incorrect because it is the opposite sign of the required reciprocal. Option D, \(-9\), is simply the original slope and does not represent a perpendicular relationship.