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Which value must be added to the expression [tex]$x^2 + 16x$[/tex] to make it a perfect-square trinomial?

A. 8
B. 32
C. 64
D. 256


Sagot :

To make the expression [tex]\(x^2 + 16x\)[/tex] a perfect-square trinomial, we need to find a value that, when added to this expression, allows it to be factored as a square of a binomial.

A perfect-square trinomial has the form:
[tex]\[ (a + b)^2 = a^2 + 2ab + b^2 \][/tex]

For the expression [tex]\(x^2 + 16x\)[/tex], the [tex]\(a^2\)[/tex] part corresponds to [tex]\(x^2\)[/tex] and the [tex]\(2ab\)[/tex] part corresponds to [tex]\(16x\)[/tex].

First, we identify the coefficients:
- The coefficient of [tex]\(x\)[/tex] is 16.

Now, recall the general form where [tex]\(2ab\)[/tex] (in our case [tex]\(2 \cdot x \cdot b\)[/tex]) matches the term [tex]\(16x\)[/tex]. To define [tex]\(b\)[/tex], we set up the equation:
[tex]\[ 2 \cdot x \cdot b = 16x \][/tex]

Solving for [tex]\(b\)[/tex]:
[tex]\[ 2b = 16 \][/tex]
[tex]\[ b = \frac{16}{2} = 8 \][/tex]

Next, to convert [tex]\(x^2 + 16x\)[/tex] into a perfect-square trinomial, we add [tex]\(b^2\)[/tex] to the expression:
[tex]\[ b^2 = 8^2 = 64 \][/tex]

Therefore, the value that must be added to [tex]\(x^2 + 16x\)[/tex] to make it a perfect-square trinomial is:
[tex]\[ \boxed{64} \][/tex]