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555-605 Level|   Algebra|                     
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Put the value of t-8=0, or t=8 in equation t^2+kt+48=0: Solving we get k=2.
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Bunuel
If (t- 8) is a factor of t^2 - kt - 48, then k=

(A) - 6
(B) - 2
(C) 2
(D) 6
(E) 14
Since (t - 8) is a factor of t^2 - kt - 48, t = 8 must be a root of the equation t^2 - kt - 48 = 0. We can substitute 8 for t and determine a value for k.

8^2 - 8k - 48 = 0

64 - 8k = 48

-8k = -16

k = 2

Answer: C­
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Bunuel
If (t- 8) is a factor of t^2 - kt - 48, then k=

(A) - 6
(B) - 2
(C) 2
(D) 6
(E) 14
 
This problem is a good one in a few ways because it has a trap that's useful to learn from and it can be solved in two ways.

The simplest method is to realize that t = 8 is a root of the quadratic (as given), plug it into the equation and solve for k directly.

8^2 - k(8) - 48 = 0
K =2

The other method involves breaking up the quadratic into its roots: (t-8)(t+6) = 0
-Kt = -8t + 6t by FOIL
-k = -2
k = 2

However, it's common to set kt = -2t and thus set oneself up for the trap k = 2, one of the answer choices. So it's important to remember that -kt is an entire term, not just kt itself, so you need to set the entire term = -2t.­
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If (t- 8) is a factor of t^2 - kt - 48, then t= 8 is one of the solution of the equation t^2 - kt - 48=0

if we substitute t = 8 in the equation t^2 - kt - 48 , we should get zero.

8*8 -8*t-48 =0

8t = 16

t = 2.

Option C is the answer.

Thanks,

Clifin J Francis,
GMAT SME
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Hello all, I don't understand how we conclude based on that t-8 is a factor of the equation, that t=8 is a root and the equation equal zero.
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s3fushah
Hello all, I don't understand how we conclude based on that t-8 is a factor of the equation, that t=8 is a root and the equation equal zero.

Check out this post.

Hope it helps.
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When I saw this problem, I immediately knew that the other root would be (t+6). When you foil it, you get t^2 - 2t - 48. So why is it not -2?
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Fish181
When I saw this problem, I immediately knew that the other root would be (t+6). When you foil it, you get t^2 - 2t - 48. So why is it not -2?
­If you substitute k = -2 in t^2 - kt - 48 you get  t^2 + 2t - 48 not t^2 - 2t - 48.
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