A polynomial is a set of at least two terms grouped together with a plus or minus sign between them. A term is either a number, variable or a combination of a number multiplied by a variable. A trinomial is a polynomial with three terms; a binomial has two. For example, 8y is a term in the binomial 8y + 1. A perfect square trinomial is a trinomial that can be factored, or reduced, to a single binomial squared. A perfect square trinomial must be written in one of two forms: x^2 + 2xy + y^2, which factors into (x + y)^2; or x^2 - 2xy + y^2, which factors into (x - y)^2.
Instructions
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1
Calculate the square root of the first term of the perfect square trinomial 16x^2 - 24x + 9. The square root of 16x^2 equals 4x.
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2
Calculate the square root of the last term of the perfect square trinomial. The square root of nine equals negative three. The three is negative because the second term of the perfect square trinomial is negative.
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3
Combine the square roots of the first and second terms as a binomial and attach an exponent of two, which equals (4x - 3)^2.