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.
Other Related Questions
Let f(x) = 3x². What is f(-2x)?
- A. -36x²
- B. -12x²
- C. -6x²
- D. 12x²
- E. 36x²
Correct Answer & Rationale
Correct Answer: D
To find f(-2x), substitute -2x into the function f(x) = 3x². This gives us f(-2x) = 3(-2x)². Calculating (-2x)² results in 4x², so we have f(-2x) = 3 * 4x² = 12x². Option A (-36x²) is incorrect because it misapplies the square and the coefficient. Option B (-12x²) incorrectly uses a negative sign and fails to account for the square of -2x. Option C (-6x²) mistakenly reduces the coefficient and sign. Option E (36x²) omits the multiplication by 3, leading to an incorrect coefficient. Thus, 12x² is the only valid outcome.
To find f(-2x), substitute -2x into the function f(x) = 3x². This gives us f(-2x) = 3(-2x)². Calculating (-2x)² results in 4x², so we have f(-2x) = 3 * 4x² = 12x². Option A (-36x²) is incorrect because it misapplies the square and the coefficient. Option B (-12x²) incorrectly uses a negative sign and fails to account for the square of -2x. Option C (-6x²) mistakenly reduces the coefficient and sign. Option E (36x²) omits the multiplication by 3, leading to an incorrect coefficient. Thus, 12x² is the only valid outcome.
Emma measured the height of her laptop screen. She reported the height as 8 inches, accurate to the nearest inch. The actual height of the screen must be:
- A. at least 7.5 inches and less than 8.5 inches
- B. at least 7.9 inches and less than 8.1 inches
- C. at least 7.99 inches and less than 8.01 inches
- D. at least 8 inches
- E. exactly 8 inches
Correct Answer & Rationale
Correct Answer: A
When measuring to the nearest inch, values can range from halfway to the next whole number. For Emma's reported height of 8 inches, this means the actual height must be at least 7.5 inches (inclusive) and less than 8.5 inches (exclusive). Option B is too narrow, only allowing for heights between 7.9 and 8.1 inches, which does not encompass all possible values. Option C is even more restrictive, only allowing for heights between 7.99 and 8.01 inches, excluding valid measurements. Option D is incorrect as it suggests the height must be 8 inches or more, which is too limiting. Option E incorrectly states the height must be exactly 8 inches, disregarding the range of possible values.
When measuring to the nearest inch, values can range from halfway to the next whole number. For Emma's reported height of 8 inches, this means the actual height must be at least 7.5 inches (inclusive) and less than 8.5 inches (exclusive). Option B is too narrow, only allowing for heights between 7.9 and 8.1 inches, which does not encompass all possible values. Option C is even more restrictive, only allowing for heights between 7.99 and 8.01 inches, excluding valid measurements. Option D is incorrect as it suggests the height must be 8 inches or more, which is too limiting. Option E incorrectly states the height must be exactly 8 inches, disregarding the range of possible values.
How many solutions does the equation 3x + 9 = 3x - 12 have?
- B. 1
- C. 2
- D. 3
- E. Infinitely many
Correct Answer & Rationale
Correct Answer: A
To determine the number of solutions for the equation 3x + 9 = 3x - 12, we can simplify both sides. Subtracting 3x from each side results in 9 = -12, which is a false statement. Since the equation leads to a contradiction, it indicates that there are no values of x that can satisfy it. Option B (1 solution) suggests a single value exists, which is incorrect. Option C (2 solutions) and D (3 solutions) imply multiple valid values, which is also false. Option E (infinitely many solutions) suggests that any x would satisfy the equation, which is not true given the contradiction. Thus, the equation has no solutions.
To determine the number of solutions for the equation 3x + 9 = 3x - 12, we can simplify both sides. Subtracting 3x from each side results in 9 = -12, which is a false statement. Since the equation leads to a contradiction, it indicates that there are no values of x that can satisfy it. Option B (1 solution) suggests a single value exists, which is incorrect. Option C (2 solutions) and D (3 solutions) imply multiple valid values, which is also false. Option E (infinitely many solutions) suggests that any x would satisfy the equation, which is not true given the contradiction. Thus, the equation has no solutions.
A medium-sized grain of sand can be approximated as a cube with an edge length of 5×10â»â´ meters. Which expression best represents the number of medium-sized sand grains that could be lined up side by side to result in a total length of 1 meter?
- A. 2×10³
- B. 2×10â´
- C. 2×10âµ
- D. 5×10³
- E. 5×10â´
Correct Answer & Rationale
Correct Answer: B
To determine how many medium-sized sand grains can be lined up to equal 1 meter, we first calculate the volume of one grain, approximated as a cube with an edge length of 5×10⁻⁴ meters. The length of one grain is 5×10⁻⁴ meters. To find the number of grains in 1 meter, divide 1 meter (1×10⁰) by the length of one grain: 1×10⁰ / 5×10⁻⁴ = 2×10³. Thus, option B (2×10³) accurately represents the number of grains. Options A (2×10³) and D (5×10³) are incorrect due to miscalculating the division. Option C (2×10⁻) and E (5×10⁵) misrepresent the scale entirely, either by underestimating or overestimating the number of grains.
To determine how many medium-sized sand grains can be lined up to equal 1 meter, we first calculate the volume of one grain, approximated as a cube with an edge length of 5×10⁻⁴ meters. The length of one grain is 5×10⁻⁴ meters. To find the number of grains in 1 meter, divide 1 meter (1×10⁰) by the length of one grain: 1×10⁰ / 5×10⁻⁴ = 2×10³. Thus, option B (2×10³) accurately represents the number of grains. Options A (2×10³) and D (5×10³) are incorrect due to miscalculating the division. Option C (2×10⁻) and E (5×10⁵) misrepresent the scale entirely, either by underestimating or overestimating the number of grains.