GMAT Practice Question: If x^2+b x+5=(x+c)^2 for all numbers x, where b and c...
Question
If x^2+b x+5=(x+c)^2 for all numbers x, where b and c are positive constants, what is the value of b ?
- sqrt(5)
- sqrt(10)
- 2 sqrt(5)
- 2 sqrt(10)
- 10
Topics: quadratic equations
Solution
Step 1
We expand the right-hand side to compare coefficients.
x^2+b x+5 = x^2 + 2 c x + c^2
Step 2
We match the coefficient of x on both sides.
b = 2 c
Step 3
We match the constant term on both sides.
c^2 = 5
Step 4
Since c is positive, we take the positive square root.
c = sqrt(5)
Step 5
We substitute c = sqrt(5) into b = 2 c.
b = 2 sqrt(5)
Answer
2sqrt(5)
