Question
Determine the constant that should be added to the binomial so that it becomes a perfect square trinomial. \( x^{2}-\frac{4}{5} x \)
Ask by Frank Rojas. in the United States
Feb 03,2025
Real Tutor Solution
Tutor-Verified Answer
Answer
To make \( x^{2} - \frac{4}{5}x \) a perfect square trinomial, add \( \frac{4}{25} \).
Solution
To determine the constant that should be added to the binomial \( x^{2} - \frac{4}{5}x \) to make it a perfect square trinomial, follow these steps:
### Step 1: Understand the Form of a Perfect Square Trinomial
A perfect square trinomial has the form:
\[
(x + a)^{2} = x^{2} + 2ax + a^{2}
\]
Comparing this with the given binomial \( x^{2} - \frac{4}{5}x \), we can see that:
\[
2a = -\frac{4}{5}
\]
### Step 2: Solve for \( a \)
\[
a = \frac{-\frac{4}{5}}{2} = -\frac{2}{5}
\]
### Step 3: Find the Constant to Add
The constant to add is \( a^{2} \):
\[
a^{2} = \left(-\frac{2}{5}\right)^{2} = \frac{4}{25}
\]
### Conclusion
To make \( x^{2} - \frac{4}{5}x \) a perfect square trinomial, you should add \( \frac{4}{25} \).
**Answer:**
The constant to add is four twenty-fifths, that is \( \frac{4}{25} \).
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Extra Insights
To make the expression \( x^{2}-\frac{4}{5} x \) a perfect square trinomial, we need to find a constant that completes the square. Take half of the coefficient of \( x \), which is \( -\frac{4}{5} \). Half of that is \( -\frac{2}{5} \). Now square this value: \[ \left(-\frac{2}{5}\right)^2 = \frac{4}{25}. \] So, we need to add \( \frac{4}{25} \) to the expression \( x^{2}-\frac{4}{5} x \). Now, let's look at the perfect square trinomial formed: \[ x^{2}-\frac{4}{5} x + \frac{4}{25} = \left(x - \frac{2}{5}\right)^2. \] Thus, the constant to be added is \( \frac{4}{25} \).