in this polynomial x^2+?x-25 what numbers replaces the ? to produce a differenceof squares
can someone check my answer

Question

anonymous · Answer

would it it be 10

anonymous · Answer

10x

mertsj · Answer

Note that it is not a difference so it cannot be the DIFFERENCE of two squares unless ? is some negative number.

anonymous · Answer

so its wrong

mertsj · Answer

Suppose ? = -1.  what would the problem be then?

anonymous · Answer

i made a mistake so now my answer would be right

mertsj · Answer

I hope so.

mathstudent55 · Answer

Is the second x supposed to have an exponent of 25?
If so, there is no number that can replace the ? to make this a difference of squares, since x^25 is not a square.

anonymous · Answer

the problem is x2+?x-25

mathstudent55 · Answer

Then it's easy. The answer is 0.

anonymous · Answer

wtf ahahhahaah i see

mathstudent55 · Answer

To have a difference of squares you need a subtraction involving only 2 squares. You can't have a middle term. If the ? is 0, then you have

$x^2+~?x-25 $

$= x^2 + 0x - 25$

$= x^2 - 25$

and Presto! you have a difference of squares.