document.write( "Question 34171: Solve by completing the square: x^2 + 8x-3 = 0
\n" ); document.write( " \n" ); document.write( "

Algebra.Com's Answer #20461 by Cintchr(481) $\"\"$ $\"About$

You can put this solution on YOUR website!
$\"+x%5E2+%2B+8x-3+=+0+\"$
\n" ); document.write( "To complete the square, you must make the left side a perfect square trinomial.
\n" ); document.write( "Add three to both sides
\n" ); document.write( " $\"+x%5E2+%2B+8x+=+3+\"$
\n" ); document.write( "using $\"+%28b%2F2%29%5E2+\"$ find the number that will \"complete the square\"
\n" ); document.write( " $\"+%288%2F2%29%5E2+=+4%5E2+=+16+\"$
\n" ); document.write( "Add 16 to both sides
\n" ); document.write( " $\"+x%5E2+%2B+8x+%2B+16+=+3+%2B+16+\"$
\n" ); document.write( "Factor the left ... add the right
\n" ); document.write( " $\"+%28x%2B4%29%5E2+=+19+\"$
\n" ); document.write( "Squareroot both sides
\n" ); document.write( " $\"+x%2B4+=+sqrt%2819%29+\"$
\n" ); document.write( "subtract 4 from both sides
\n" ); document.write( " $\"+x+=+-4+%2B-+sqrt%2819%29+\"$
\n" ); document.write( "Remember that there is a + and a - since there has to be two solutions for a perfect square trinomial \n" ); document.write( "

\n" );