For some integers m and n, the expression (x+m)(x+n) is equal to a quadratic expression in x with a constant term of -12. Which of the following cannot be a value of m?
A number or a short expression. Fractions can be typed as 3/2, and spacing doesn't matter.
Solution
Expanding, (x+m)(x+n)=x2+nx+mx+mn=x2+(m+n)x+mn. The constant term of this quadratic expression is mn, and so mn=−12. Since m and n are integers, they are each divisors of -12 and thus of 12. Of the given possibilities, only 5 is not a divisor of 12, and so m cannot equal 5.
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