Sample Response: The value of m must be greater than the value of n. When you multiply the binomials, the middle term is the result of combining the outside and inside products. So, bx = –nx + mx, or bx = (–n + m)x. This means that b = –n + m. When adding numbers with opposite signs, you subtract their absolute values, and keep the sign of the number having the larger absolute value. Since b is positive, m must have the larger absolute value.
The value of m<span> must be greater than the value of</span><span> n</span><span>. When you multiply the binomials, the middle term is the result of combining the outside and inside products. So, </span>bx<span> = –</span>nx<span> + </span>mx<span>, or </span>bx<span> = (–</span>n<span> + </span>m)x<span>. This means that </span>b<span> = –</span>n<span> + </span>m<span>. When adding numbers with opposite signs, you subtract their absolute values, and keep the sign of the number having the larger absolute value. Since </span>b<span> is positive, </span>m<span>must have the larger absolute value.</span>