SOLUTION: I need some help with this problem. I have tried to work it and cannot seem to come up with the answer All the directions say is to complete the square to solve the following equa

Question 148962: I need some help with this problem. I have tried to work it and cannot seem to come up with the answer All the directions say is to complete the square to solve the following equations
x^2+6x=7 ( i know that you need to get every thing on 1 side but then what)
x^2+6x-7=0

and with this problem the same directions but would you us the quadratic formula to solve? 2x^2-5x-3=0 Thanks Leann
Found 2 solutions by ankor@dixie-net.com, mangopeeler07:
Answer by ankor@dixie-net.com(22740) (Show Source): You can put this solution on YOUR website!
I need some help with this problem. I have tried to work it and cannot seem to come up with the answer All the directions say is to complete the square to solve the following equations
x^2+6x=7 ( i know that you need to get every thing on 1 side but then what)
x^2+6x-7=0
:
If they want you to solve by completing the square you can leave 7 on the right
And find the value that will complete the square
:
x^2 + 6x + __ = 7
:
To find the term that will complete the square,
divide the coefficient of x by 2 and square that. 6/2 = 3, 3^2 = 9, so we have:
;
x^2 + 6x + 9 = 7 + 9; we have to add 9 to both sides to preserve equality
:
x^2 + 6x + 9 = 16; we know that left side is (x+3)(x+3) or (x+3)^2, so we have:
:
(x + 3)^2 = 16
:
Find the square root of both sides;
x + 3 = +/-
x + 3 = +/-4
Two solutions:
x = -3 + 4
x = +1
and
x = -3 - 4
x = -7
;
You can confirm that: FOIL (x-1)(x+7) = x^2 - 1x + 7x - 7 = x^2 + 6x - 7
:
:
and with this problem the same directions but would you us the quadratic formula to solve? 2x^2 - 5x - 3 = 0
:
you could use the quadratic formula, but this will factor to: (2x + 1)(x - 3)
:
If you insist on using the quadratic formula:

In your equation: a=2; b=-5; c=-3

Two solutions
x =
x = +3
and
x =
x =
:
:
Did this help you? Any questions?

Answer by mangopeeler07(462) (Show Source): You can put this solution on YOUR website!
x^2+6x-7=0
Factor:
start with
(x)(x)
insert a + and a -
(x+)(x-)

Find two factors of 7 whose difference is 6: 7 and 1. insert them:
(x+7)(x-1)

Set each expression equal to zero
x+7=0
x-1=0
Solve for x in each
x=-7
x=1
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