SOLUTION: Solve by completing the square: x^2 + 6x + 1 = 0

Question 147430: Solve by completing the square:
x^2 + 6x + 1 = 0

Answer by nerdybill(7384) (Show Source): You can put this solution on YOUR website!
This site describes it quite well:
http://www.purplemath.com/modules/solvquad3.htm
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x^2 + 6x + 1 = 0
.
First, isolate the x's -- so, subtract 1 from both sides:
x^2 + 6x = -1
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Next, look at the coefficient associated with the x term (6). Divide this by 2 and square it to get 9.
.
So, we ADD 9 to both sides:
x^2 + 6x + 9 = -1 + 9
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Now, we factor the left side and combine the right to get:
(x+3)(x+3) = 8
(x+3)^2 = 8
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To solve:
(x+3)^2 = 8
Take the square root of both sides:
x + 3 = (+-)sqrt(8)
x = (+-)sqrt(8) - 3
x = (+-)2sqrt(2) - 3
.
Note: the (+-) means "plus or minus"

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