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How to Find C in a Polynomial

The term "polynomial" identifies an expression with more than one term. Polynomials serve many functions in algebra and other mathematical fields, including creating expressions to solve word problems and finding functions for graphing. To find the value or root of a variable, the letter within a polynomial expression must be set to equal zero so that the terms can be moved to the other side of the equation to isolate the desired variable. This process is called the zero product property.

Instructions

    • 1

      Examine the expression (c -- 7)(c -- 2). To find the root, or the function of the variable c, write each of the binomials in the expression as an equation equal to zero: c -- 7 = 0 and c -- 2 = 0.

    • 2

      Move the constant term in the equation to the other side of the equation using the opposite property. In the first binomial, the constant 7 is subtracted; so use addition to move it. In the second binomial, the constant 2 is also subtracted and can be moved with addition.

    • 3

      Add 7 to both sides of the equation: c -- 7 + 7 = 0 + 7. Simplify the equation: c = 7. Add 2 to both sides of the equation: c -- 2 + 2 = 0 + 2. Simplify the equation: c = 2. Therefore, c has two solutions: c = 7, 2.

    • 4

      Examine the expression c^2 + 6c + 9. Factor the trinomial, which means simplifying the expression to binomials in parenthetical notation.

    • 5

      Find the square root of c^2 and 9: c^2 = c x c and 9 = 3 x 3. Since the terms are added, use addition in the parentheses: (c + 3)(c + 3).

    • 6

      Set the binomial to equal zero: c + 3 = 0. Because both binomials are the same, you only need to use one binomial. Subtract 3 from both sides of the equation and simplify: c + 3 -- 3 = 0 -- 3, which simplifies to c = -3.

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