If (x+a)(x+8)=x2+bx+24 for all values of x, what is the value of a+b?
A number or a short expression. Spacing and $ signs are ignored.
Solution
Since (x+a)(x+8)=x2+bx+24 for all x, then x2+ax+8x+8a=x2+bx+24 or x2+(a+8)x+8a=x2+bx+24 for all x. Since the equation is true for all x, then the coefficients on the left side must match the coefficients on the right side. Therefore, a+8=b and 8a=24. The second equation gives a=3, from which the first equation gives b=3+8=11. Finally, a+b=3+11=14.
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