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Completing The Square
Completing The Square
Completing The Square
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Quadratic Factoring
Equations
Completing the Square Quadratics
ax2 + bx + c = 0 a(x+d)2 + e = 0
b
For those of you in a hurry, I can tell you that: d =
2a
b2
and: e = c −
4a
But if you have time, let me show you how to "Complete the Square" yourself.
Well, with a little inspiration from Geometry we can convert it, like this:
Completing the
b
Square
x b x 2 x+ b2
x x2 + bx x x+ b2
2
b
2
( )
b
2
x2 + bx + (b/2)2 = (x+b/2)2
"Complete the
Square"
x2 + 6x + +7
+ ( )6 2
2 − ( ) 6 2
2
Also subtract the new term
x2 + 6x + ( )6 2
2
+7− ( )
6 2
2
(x + 6 )2 + 7−9
2
2 = (x + 3) − 2
The result:
x2 + 6x + 7 = (x+3)2 − 2
A Shortcut Approach
Here is a quick way to get an answer. You may like this method.
Now see if we can turn our example into that form to discover d and e
x2 + 6x + 7
2
(x + d) + e x 2 + 2dx + d2 + e
ax2 + bx + c = 0
But that is easy to deal with ... just divide the whole equation by "a" first, then carry
on:
x2 + (b/a)x + c/a = 0
Steps
Now we can solve a Quadratic Equation in 5 steps:
Step 2 Move the number term (c/a) to the right side of the equation.
Step 3 Complete the square on the left side of the equation and balance this by adding the
same value to the right side of the equation.
We now have something that looks like (x + p)2 = q, which can be solved rather
easily:
Step 5 Subtract the number that remains on the left side of the equation to find x.
Examples
OK, some examples will help!
Example 1: Solve x2 + 4x + 1 = 0
Step 2 Move the number term to the right side of the equation:
x2 + 4x = -1
Step 3 Complete the square on the left side of the equation and balance this by
adding the same number to the right side of the equation.
(b/2)2 = (4/2)2 = 22 = 4
x2 + 4x + 4 = -1 + 4
(x + 2)2 = 3
(x + 2 )2 = 3
x2 – 0.8x – 0.4 = 0
Step 2 Move the number term to the right side of the equation:
x2 – 0.8x = 0.4
Step 3 Complete the square on the left side of the equation and balance this by
adding the same number to the right side of the equation:
(x – 0.4)2 = 0.56
Step 5 Subtract (-0.4) from both sides (in other words, add 0.4):
Well, one reason is given above, where the new form not only shows us the vertex,
but makes it easier to solve.
There are also times when the form ax2 + bx + c may be part of a larger question
and rearranging it as a(x+d)2 + e makes the solution easier, because x only
appears once.
For example "x" may itself be a function (like cos(z)) and rearranging it may open up
a path to a better solution.
How did I get the values of d and e from the top of the page?
Start with
b2
and: e = c −
4a
Just like at the top of the page!
Quadratic Equations
Factoring Quadratics
Graphing Quadratic Equations
Real World Examples of Quadratic Equations
Derivation of Quadratic Equation
Quadratic Equation Solver
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