Question 16-x-2

2.2 Nonlinear Equations in One Variable - Quadratic solving (factoring, quadratic formula, completing square)
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- 16 x 2 - 8 x + c = 0

In the given equation, c is a constant. The equation has exactly one solution. What is the value of c ?

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- 16 x 2 - 8 x + c = 0 In the given equation, c

Hard-difficulty · SAT Math · Nonlinear Equations in One Variable — Quadratic solving (factoring, quadratic formula, completing square). Read the question above, select your answer, and check the full explanation below to understand exactly why the correct choice works.

Answer explanation

The correct answer is -1 . A quadratic equation in the form ax2+bx+c=0, where a , b , and c are constants, has exactly one solution when its discriminant, b2-4ac, is equal to 0 . In the given equation, -16x2-8x+c=0, a = -16 and b = -8 . Substituting -16 for a and -8 for b in b2-4ac yields -82-4-16c, or 64+64c. Since the given equation has exactly one solution, 64+64c=0. Subtracting 64 from both sides of this equation yields 64c=-64. Dividing both sides of this equation by 64 yields c = -1 . Therefore, the value of c is -1 .