When (3+2x+x2)(1+mx+m2x2) is expanded and fully simplified, the coefficient of x2 is equal to 1. What is the sum of all possible values of m?
A number or a short expression. Spacing and $ signs are ignored.
Solution
When (3+2x+x2)(1+mx+m2x2) is expanded, the terms that include an x2 will come from multiplying a constant with a term that includes x2 or multiplying two terms that includes x. In other words, the term that includes x2 will be 3⋅m2x2+2x⋅mx+x2⋅1=(3m2+2m+1)x2. From the condition that the coefficient of this term equals 1, we see that 3m2+2m+1=1 which gives 3m2+2m=0 or m(3m+2)=0, which means that m=0 or m=−32. The sum of these possible values of m is −32.
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