PSAT Math : Variables

Study concepts, example questions & explanations for PSAT Math

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Example Questions

Example Question #1 : How To Find The Value Of The Coefficient

Give the coefficient of  in the binomial expansion of .

Possible Answers:

Correct answer:

Explanation:

If the expression  is expanded, then by the binomial theorem, the  term is

or, equivalently, the coefficient of  is 

Therefore, the  coefficient can be determined by setting 

Example Question #6 : How To Find The Value Of The Coefficient

Give the coefficient of  in the product

.

Possible Answers:

Correct answer:

Explanation:

While this problem can be answered by multiplying the three binomials, it is not necessary. There are three ways to multiply one term from each binomial such that two  terms and one constant are multiplied; find the three products and add them, as follows:

 

 

 

Add: 

The correct response is -122.

Example Question #1 : How To Find The Value Of The Coefficient

Give the coefficient of  in the product  

.

Possible Answers:

Correct answer:

Explanation:

While this problem can be answered by multiplying the three binomials, it is not necessary. There are three ways to multiply one term from each binomial such that two  terms and one constant are multiplied; find the three products and add them, as follows:

 

 

 

 

Add: .

The correct response is .

Example Question #41 : Algebra

Multiply the binomial.

Possible Answers:

Correct answer:

Explanation:

By multiplying with the foil method, we multiply our first values giving , our outside values giving . our inside values which gives , and out last values giving .

Example Question #1 : How To Factor A Trinomial

Factor the following expression completely:

Possible Answers:

Correct answer:

Explanation:

We must begin by factoring out from each term.

Next, we must find two numbers that sum to and multiply to .

Thus, our final answer is:

Example Question #1 : How To Factor A Trinomial

Factor the following trinomial:

Possible Answers:

Correct answer:

Explanation:

To trinomial is in  form

In order to factor, find two numbers whose procuct is , in this case , and whose sum is , in this case

Factors of :

Which of these pairs has a sum of ?

and

Therefore the factored form of is:

Example Question #41 : Algebra

Factor the trinomial.

Possible Answers:

Correct answer:

Explanation:

Our factors will need to have a product of , and a sum of , so our factors must be  and .

Example Question #1 : Trinomials

Possible Answers:

Correct answer:

Explanation:

Use the distributive property:

Combine like terms:

Example Question #2 : How To Multiply Trinomials

Find the product:

Possible Answers:

Correct answer:

Explanation:

Find the product:

Step 1: Use the Distributive Property

Step 2: Combine like terms

Example Question #3 : How To Multiply Trinomials

Find the product:

Possible Answers:

Correct answer:

Explanation:

Find the product:

Use the distributive property:

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