GMAT Quadratic Equations: If x^2+b x+5=(x+c)^2 for all…
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?
- √5
- √10
- 2 √5
- 2 √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 = √5
Step 5
We substitute c = √5 into b = 2 c.
b = 2 × √5
Answer
2 √5 (C)
