SOLUTION: For the function y = x2 - 4x - 5, perform the following tasks: a) Put the function in the form y = a(x - h)2 + k. Can you please give me the answer?

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Question 24745: For the function y = x2 - 4x - 5, perform the following tasks:
a) Put the function in the form y = a(x - h)2 + k. Can you please give me the answer?

Answer by Earlsdon(6098) About Me  (Show Source):
You can put this solution on YOUR website!
First, you can indicate the square of x by use of the caret (^), thus: x^2 = x-squared.
To put your function: y+=+x%5E2+-+4x+-+5 into the form: y+=+a%28x-h%29%5E2+%2B+k you will need to "complete the square" in the x-terms. Here's how:
y+=+x%5E2+-+4x+-+5 Add 5 to both sides of the equation.
y%2B5+=+x%5E2+-+4x Complete the square in the x-terms by adding the square of half the x-coefficient to both sides of the equation (this is %28%281%2F2%29%28-4%29%29%5E2+=+4.
y%2B5%2B4+=+x%5E2+-+4x+%2B+4 Factor the right side of the equation and simplify.
y%2B9+=+%28x+-+2%29%5E2 Finally, subtract 9 from both sides.
y+=+%28x+-+2%29%5E2+-+9 ...and there you have it!
Remember! "If you give a man a fish, you feed him for a day. If you teach a man how to fish, you feed him for life" Confucious...I think.