Factor completely: b^2 + 3b - 4
- A. (b + 4)(b - 1)
- B. (b - 2)(b - 3)
- C. (b + 1)(b + 2)
- D. (b + 3)(b - 1)
Correct Answer & Rationale
Correct Answer: A
To factor the expression \( b^2 + 3b - 4 \), we need two numbers that multiply to \(-4\) (the constant term) and add to \(3\) (the coefficient of \(b\)). The numbers \(4\) and \(-1\) satisfy these conditions, leading to the factors \( (b + 4)(b - 1) \). Option B, \( (b - 2)(b - 3) \), yields \( b^2 - 5b + 6\), which does not match the original expression. Option C, \( (b + 1)(b + 2) \), results in \( b^2 + 3b + 2\), also incorrect due to the wrong sign on the constant term. Option D, \( (b + 3)(b - 1) \), gives \( b^2 + 2b - 3\), which again does not match. Thus, only option A correctly factors the expression.
To factor the expression \( b^2 + 3b - 4 \), we need two numbers that multiply to \(-4\) (the constant term) and add to \(3\) (the coefficient of \(b\)). The numbers \(4\) and \(-1\) satisfy these conditions, leading to the factors \( (b + 4)(b - 1) \). Option B, \( (b - 2)(b - 3) \), yields \( b^2 - 5b + 6\), which does not match the original expression. Option C, \( (b + 1)(b + 2) \), results in \( b^2 + 3b + 2\), also incorrect due to the wrong sign on the constant term. Option D, \( (b + 3)(b - 1) \), gives \( b^2 + 2b - 3\), which again does not match. Thus, only option A correctly factors the expression.
Other Related Questions
Tina Is designing a cabin. One of her plans for the cabin is a rectangle twice as long as it is wide, with 10 feet (ft) of the length reserved for the Kitchen and the bathroom. The diagram shows this basic plan. Tina wants the area of the main room to be 300 square feet. Which equation can be used to find x, the width, in feet, of the main room?
- A. 2x^2 + 10x - 300 = 0
- B. 2x^2 - 10x - 300 = 0
- C. 2x^2 - 20x - 300 = 0
- D. 2x^2 + 20x - 300 = 0
Correct Answer & Rationale
Correct Answer: B
To determine the width \( x \) of the main room, we start with the area formula for a rectangle: Area = Length × Width. The cabin's length is twice the width, so it can be expressed as \( 2x \). Since 10 ft is allocated for the kitchen and bathroom, the length of the main room is \( 2x - 10 \). The equation for the area of the main room is therefore \( (2x - 10)x = 300 \), which simplifies to \( 2x^2 - 10x - 300 = 0 \), matching option B. Option A incorrectly adds \( 10x \) instead of subtracting, leading to an incorrect area calculation. Option C miscalculates the length by subtracting 20 instead of 10, while option D incorrectly adds 20, which does not reflect the reserved space. Thus, only option B accurately represents the relationship between length, width, and area.
To determine the width \( x \) of the main room, we start with the area formula for a rectangle: Area = Length × Width. The cabin's length is twice the width, so it can be expressed as \( 2x \). Since 10 ft is allocated for the kitchen and bathroom, the length of the main room is \( 2x - 10 \). The equation for the area of the main room is therefore \( (2x - 10)x = 300 \), which simplifies to \( 2x^2 - 10x - 300 = 0 \), matching option B. Option A incorrectly adds \( 10x \) instead of subtracting, leading to an incorrect area calculation. Option C miscalculates the length by subtracting 20 instead of 10, while option D incorrectly adds 20, which does not reflect the reserved space. Thus, only option B accurately represents the relationship between length, width, and area.
A figure is formed by shaded squares on a grid. Which figure has a perimeter of 12units and an area of 8 square units?
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A.
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B.
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C.
- D. None of the above
Correct Answer & Rationale
Correct Answer: C
To determine the figure that meets the criteria of having a perimeter of 12 units and an area of 8 square units, we analyze each option. Option C achieves both requirements: it has a perimeter of 12 units, calculated by adding the lengths of all sides, and an area of 8 square units, determined by multiplying its length and width (2 x 4). In contrast, Option A has a perimeter exceeding 12 units, while its area is less than 8 square units. Option B has a perimeter of 10 units and an area of 6 square units, failing both criteria. Option D is not applicable since Option C meets the conditions. Thus, Option C stands out as the only figure that satisfies both the perimeter and area requirements.
To determine the figure that meets the criteria of having a perimeter of 12 units and an area of 8 square units, we analyze each option. Option C achieves both requirements: it has a perimeter of 12 units, calculated by adding the lengths of all sides, and an area of 8 square units, determined by multiplying its length and width (2 x 4). In contrast, Option A has a perimeter exceeding 12 units, while its area is less than 8 square units. Option B has a perimeter of 10 units and an area of 6 square units, failing both criteria. Option D is not applicable since Option C meets the conditions. Thus, Option C stands out as the only figure that satisfies both the perimeter and area requirements.
Last weekend, 625 runners entered a 10,000-meter race. A 10,000- meter race is 6.2 miles long. Ruben won the race with a finishing time of 29 minutes 51 seconds.
The graphs show information about the top 10 runners.
Based on the histogram, which statement describes the finishing time of the runner in position 3?
- A. The finishing time was between 30 and 31 minutes
- B. The finishing time was between 33 and 34 minutes
- C. The finishing time was between 31 and 32 minutes
- D. The finishing time was between 32 and 33 minutes
Correct Answer & Rationale
Correct Answer: C
The finishing time for the runner in position 3 falls within the 31 to 32 minutes range, as indicated by the histogram. This range is supported by the data distribution, showing that the majority of runners in the top 10 finished within this timeframe. Option A is incorrect because it suggests a time between 30 and 31 minutes, which does not align with the position 3 runner's time. Option B is inaccurate, as it indicates a finishing time between 33 and 34 minutes, which is too high for this position. Option D, while close, incorrectly suggests a time between 32 and 33 minutes, which does not match the histogram data for the third place runner.
The finishing time for the runner in position 3 falls within the 31 to 32 minutes range, as indicated by the histogram. This range is supported by the data distribution, showing that the majority of runners in the top 10 finished within this timeframe. Option A is incorrect because it suggests a time between 30 and 31 minutes, which does not align with the position 3 runner's time. Option B is inaccurate, as it indicates a finishing time between 33 and 34 minutes, which is too high for this position. Option D, while close, incorrectly suggests a time between 32 and 33 minutes, which does not match the histogram data for the third place runner.
The width of a painting is 24 centimeters shorter than its length, x. The area of the painting is 4,081 square centimeters. Which equation could be used to find the dimensions of the painting?
- A. x^2 - 24x - 4,081 = 0
- B. x^2 + 24x - 4,081 = 0
- C. x^2 + 24x + 4,081 = 0
- D. x^2 - 24x + 4,081 = 0
Correct Answer & Rationale
Correct Answer: A
To find the dimensions of the painting, we start with the relationship between length and width. The width is 24 cm shorter than the length \(x\), so it can be expressed as \(x - 24\). The area of a rectangle is given by the product of its length and width, resulting in the equation \(x(x - 24) = 4,081\). Expanding this leads to \(x^2 - 24x - 4,081 = 0\), which matches option A. Option B incorrectly adds 24x, leading to an incorrect area calculation. Option C incorrectly adds 24 and includes a positive constant, which does not represent the area. Option D incorrectly adds 4,081 and has a positive term that does not reflect the relationship between length and width.
To find the dimensions of the painting, we start with the relationship between length and width. The width is 24 cm shorter than the length \(x\), so it can be expressed as \(x - 24\). The area of a rectangle is given by the product of its length and width, resulting in the equation \(x(x - 24) = 4,081\). Expanding this leads to \(x^2 - 24x - 4,081 = 0\), which matches option A. Option B incorrectly adds 24x, leading to an incorrect area calculation. Option C incorrectly adds 24 and includes a positive constant, which does not represent the area. Option D incorrectly adds 4,081 and has a positive term that does not reflect the relationship between length and width.