You can
put this solution on YOUR website!
Start with the given equation.
Add 3 to both sides.
Combine like terms.
--------------------------------------------------------
Now let's complete the square for the expression
Start with the given expression.
Take half of the
coefficient
to get
. In other words,
.
Now square
to get
. In other words,
Now add
and subtract
. Make sure to place this after the "n" term. Notice how
. So the expression is not changed.
Group the first three terms.
Factor
to get
.
Combine like terms.
So after completing the square,
transforms to
. So
.
So
is equivalent to
.
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Now let's solve
Start with the given equation.
Add
to both sides.
Combine like terms.
Take the square root of both sides.
or
Break up the "plus/minus" to form two equations.
or
Subtract
from both sides.
============================================================
Answer:
So the solutions are
or
.
(