What are the solutions to (x-2)(x+4) = 0?
- A. -4 and 2
- B. -3 and 1
- C. -2 and 4
- D. -1 and 1
- E. -1 and 3
Correct Answer & Rationale
Correct Answer: A
To solve the equation (x-2)(x+4) = 0, we apply the zero product property, which states that if a product of factors equals zero, at least one of the factors must equal zero. Setting each factor to zero gives us the equations x - 2 = 0 and x + 4 = 0. Solving these yields x = 2 and x = -4, confirming that the solutions are -4 and 2. Options B, C, D, and E provide incorrect pairs of solutions that do not satisfy the original equation when substituted back in. Each of these pairs results in non-zero products for the factors, thus failing to meet the requirement of the equation.
To solve the equation (x-2)(x+4) = 0, we apply the zero product property, which states that if a product of factors equals zero, at least one of the factors must equal zero. Setting each factor to zero gives us the equations x - 2 = 0 and x + 4 = 0. Solving these yields x = 2 and x = -4, confirming that the solutions are -4 and 2. Options B, C, D, and E provide incorrect pairs of solutions that do not satisfy the original equation when substituted back in. Each of these pairs results in non-zero products for the factors, thus failing to meet the requirement of the equation.
Other Related Questions
Quadrilateral ABCD satisfies the following conditions: Side AB is parallel to side CD, Side BC is not parallel to side AD. Which term is the best classification for quadrilateral ABCD?
- A. Parallelogram
- B. Rectangle
- C. Rhombus
- D. Square
- E. Trapezoid
Correct Answer & Rationale
Correct Answer: E
Quadrilateral ABCD has one pair of parallel sides (AB and CD), which defines it as a trapezoid. Option A, parallelogram, is incorrect because both pairs of opposite sides must be parallel. Option B, rectangle, is a specific type of parallelogram with right angles, so it also requires two pairs of parallel sides. Option C, rhombus, similarly demands both pairs of opposite sides to be parallel, along with equal side lengths. Option D, square, is a special type of rectangle and rhombus, necessitating both pairs of parallel sides and equal side lengths. Thus, the only classification that fits is trapezoid.
Quadrilateral ABCD has one pair of parallel sides (AB and CD), which defines it as a trapezoid. Option A, parallelogram, is incorrect because both pairs of opposite sides must be parallel. Option B, rectangle, is a specific type of parallelogram with right angles, so it also requires two pairs of parallel sides. Option C, rhombus, similarly demands both pairs of opposite sides to be parallel, along with equal side lengths. Option D, square, is a special type of rectangle and rhombus, necessitating both pairs of parallel sides and equal side lengths. Thus, the only classification that fits is trapezoid.
What are the solutions to the equation: x² - 10?
- A. ±5
- B. ±√10
- C. ±10
- D. ±10²
- E. ±20
Correct Answer & Rationale
Correct Answer: B
To solve the equation \( x^2 - 10 = 0 \), we first isolate \( x^2 \) by adding 10 to both sides, resulting in \( x^2 = 10 \). Taking the square root of both sides gives us \( x = \pm\sqrt{10} \), which corresponds to option B. Option A, \( \pm5 \), is incorrect as \( 5^2 = 25 \), not 10. Option C, \( \pm10 \), is also wrong because \( 10^2 = 100 \). Option D, \( \pm10^2 \), misinterprets the operation, yielding \( \pm100 \), which is not relevant here. Lastly, option E, \( \pm20 \), is incorrect since \( 20^2 = 400 \). Thus, only option B accurately represents the solutions to the equation.
To solve the equation \( x^2 - 10 = 0 \), we first isolate \( x^2 \) by adding 10 to both sides, resulting in \( x^2 = 10 \). Taking the square root of both sides gives us \( x = \pm\sqrt{10} \), which corresponds to option B. Option A, \( \pm5 \), is incorrect as \( 5^2 = 25 \), not 10. Option C, \( \pm10 \), is also wrong because \( 10^2 = 100 \). Option D, \( \pm10^2 \), misinterprets the operation, yielding \( \pm100 \), which is not relevant here. Lastly, option E, \( \pm20 \), is incorrect since \( 20^2 = 400 \). Thus, only option B accurately represents the solutions to the equation.
When Henry plays the songs on the playlist in a random order, what is the probability a rock song will be played first?
- A. 3/4
- B. 1/3
- C. 1/4
- D. 3/10
- E. 5/16
Correct Answer & Rationale
Correct Answer: D
To find the probability of a rock song being played first, we need to know the total number of songs and how many of those are rock songs. If there are 3 rock songs and a total of 10 songs, the probability is calculated as the number of favorable outcomes (rock songs) divided by the total outcomes (all songs). Thus, the probability is 3/10, which corresponds to option D. Option A (3/4) overestimates the likelihood by implying a much higher proportion of rock songs. Option B (1/3) incorrectly assumes there are fewer total songs than there actually are. Option C (1/4) underrepresents the rock songs available. Option E (5/16) is irrelevant as it does not align with the total number of songs.
To find the probability of a rock song being played first, we need to know the total number of songs and how many of those are rock songs. If there are 3 rock songs and a total of 10 songs, the probability is calculated as the number of favorable outcomes (rock songs) divided by the total outcomes (all songs). Thus, the probability is 3/10, which corresponds to option D. Option A (3/4) overestimates the likelihood by implying a much higher proportion of rock songs. Option B (1/3) incorrectly assumes there are fewer total songs than there actually are. Option C (1/4) underrepresents the rock songs available. Option E (5/16) is irrelevant as it does not align with the total number of songs.
What is the product of the two polynomials: (x - 5)(x² - 3x + 6)?
- A. x³ - 8x² + 21x - 30
- B. x³ - 8x² - 21x - 30
- C. x³ - 8x² - 9x - 30
- D. x³ + 8x² + 21x + 30
- E. x³ + 8x² - 9x + 30
Correct Answer & Rationale
Correct Answer: A
To find the product of the polynomials (x - 5)(x² - 3x + 6), we apply the distributive property (FOIL method). 1. Multiply x by each term in the second polynomial: - x * x² = x³ - x * (-3x) = -3x² - x * 6 = 6x 2. Multiply -5 by each term in the second polynomial: - -5 * x² = -5x² - -5 * (-3x) = 15x - -5 * 6 = -30 Combining these results yields: x³ + (-3x² - 5x²) + (6x + 15x) - 30 = x³ - 8x² + 21x - 30. Option A matches this result. Options B and C have incorrect signs for the x terms. Option D has incorrect signs for all terms, and option E has incorrect signs for the x² and x terms. Thus, only option A accurately represents the product of the polynomials.
To find the product of the polynomials (x - 5)(x² - 3x + 6), we apply the distributive property (FOIL method). 1. Multiply x by each term in the second polynomial: - x * x² = x³ - x * (-3x) = -3x² - x * 6 = 6x 2. Multiply -5 by each term in the second polynomial: - -5 * x² = -5x² - -5 * (-3x) = 15x - -5 * 6 = -30 Combining these results yields: x³ + (-3x² - 5x²) + (6x + 15x) - 30 = x³ - 8x² + 21x - 30. Option A matches this result. Options B and C have incorrect signs for the x terms. Option D has incorrect signs for all terms, and option E has incorrect signs for the x² and x terms. Thus, only option A accurately represents the product of the polynomials.