Question

What value of b makes the polynomial x2+bc+16 a perfect square

Answer 1

For a perfect square

b² = 4*a*c

Comparing ax² + bx + c = 0 to x² + bx + 16

a = 1,    c = 16

b² = 4*a*c

b² = 4*1*16

b² = 64

b = √64

b = 8

The value of b = 8.