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Find $t$ if the expansion of the product of $x^3$ and $x^2 + tx$ has no $x^2$ term.

 Dec 3, 2024
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Let's multiply the polynomials and see what we get. 

We have \((x^3)(x^2 + tx)\)

 

Distributing in the x^3, we find that we get the expression \(x^5+tx^4\)

 

there is actually no x^2 term, meaning t can pretty much be anything. 

As long as t doesn't contain a x^-2 term, then it isn't possible there is an x^2 term. 

 

Thanks! :)

 Dec 3, 2024
edited by NotThatSmart  Dec 3, 2024

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