Complete the Square January 16, 2017
Steps: Given: 2x2 = -8x + 12 1. Collect variable terms on 1 side and constants 2x2 + 8x = 12 on the other side. 2. If needed, divide both sides by a to make the x2 + 4x ____ = 6 ____ coefficient of the x2 term 1. 3. Complete the square by adding (b/2)2 to both x2 + 4x + 4 = 6 + 4(2) sides of the equation. x2 + 4x + 4 = 10 4. Factor the variable expression as a perfect square. (x + 2)2 = 10 5. Take the square root of both sides of the equation. x + 2 = ±√10 6. Solve for the values of the variable. Simplify square x = -2 ±√10 roots if necessary.
Ex: Solve each quadratic by completing the square. 1) x2 + 6x + 8 = 0
2) x2 + 4x = 24
3) x2 = 4x - 1
4) 2x2 + 8x - 16= 0
5) 3x2 - 6x + 18 = 0