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Mark for Review

If -16 - 6x + x2 = x2 - abx - 8b, where a and b are constants, what is the value of a?

A

B

C

D


Correct Answer: C

Your Answer:

Explanation

(C) The different terms on the two sides of the equation equal each other. So -16 = -8b, -6x = - abx, and x2 = x2. Why? This occurs because the constants must equal each other, the terms with an x must equal each other, and the terms with an x2 must equal one another. Since -16 = -8b, b = 2.

Plug in 2 for b in the second equation and cancel out the -x to solve for a:

-6x = -abx → 6 = a · 2 → a = 3