+1286 Find all real values of $s$ such that $x^2 + sx + 144 - 44$ is the square of a binomial.
+1926 First off, let's combine like terms to get \(x^2 + sx + 100\).
For this to be a square of a binomial, we must recognize that s is equal to double the square root of 100.
Solving this we get s=20.
Indeed, \(x^2+20x+100 = (x+10)^2\).
However, we also get s=-20.
We have \(x^2-20x+100 = (x-10)^2\).
This means s=-20, 20
Thanks! :)
(Haha, this is the post that got me to 200 points!)
