document.write( "<A HREF=/cgi-bin/jump-to-question.mpl?question=6637>Question 6637</A>: <I><SPAN STYLE=\"word-break: break-all;\"> I checked all of your solvers for quadratic functions, but did not understand what one of my questions was asking...the question was:\r<BR>\n" );
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document.write( "Solve the equation by completing the square. Leave irrational roots in simplest <BR>\n" );
document.write( "radical form.  x^2+4x-12=0 \r<BR>\n" );
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document.write( "On your solvers, i typed in my equation, and it worked, but i didn't know what my question was asking for, so the answers didn't do me any good. Could you please help me with my question? Thank you!! </SPAN>\n" );
document.write( "</I><HR><TABLE width=100%><TR><TD><B><A HREF=http://www.algebra.com/>Algebra.Com's</A> Answer #3616 by </B><A HREF=/tutors/aboutme.mpl?userid=Earlsdon><B>Earlsdon(6294)</B></A><img src=\"/images/stars/stars-13.gif\" alt=\"\" >&nbsp;<A HREF=/tutors/aboutme.mpl?userid=Earlsdon><IMG SRC=http://www.algebra.com/images/aboutme-small.gif BORDER=0 alt=\"About Me\" VALIGN=MIDDLE></A>&nbsp;<IMG SRC=http://www.algebra.com/images/nopicture.jpg><BR>You can <A HREF=\"/cgi-bin/embed-solution.mpl?show=1&solution=3616\">put this solution on YOUR website!</A><BR><SPAN STYLE=\"word-break: break-all;\"> One of the methods of solving quadratic equations is known as \"completing the square\".\r<BR>\n" );
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document.write( "This method entails making a perfect square trinomial from the given quadratic equation or expression, then factoring the perfect square trinomial into its two identical factors.\r<BR>\n" );
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document.write( "This is best demonstrated by illustration:\r<BR>\n" );
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document.write( "Starting with your quadratic equation:<BR>\n" );
document.write( "<IMG STYLE=\"max-width:80%;\" SRC=/cgi-bin/plot-formula.mpl?expression=x%5E2+%2B+4x+-+12+=+0 ALIGN=MIDDLE  ALT=\"x%5E2+%2B+4x+-+12+=+0\"   DISABLED_style= \"max-width:90%; height:auto;\" >\r<BR>\n" );
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document.write( "1) Move the constant to the right side of the equation, i.e. add 12 to both sides.<BR>\n" );
document.write( "<IMG STYLE=\"max-width:80%;\" SRC=/cgi-bin/plot-formula.mpl?expression=x%5E2+%2B+4x+=+12 ALIGN=MIDDLE  ALT=\"x%5E2+%2B+4x+=+12\"   DISABLED_style= \"max-width:90%; height:auto;\" >\r<BR>\n" );
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document.write( "2) Add a new constant that is the square of one-half of the x-coefficient.<BR>\n" );
document.write( "<IMG STYLE=\"max-width:80%;\" SRC=/cgi-bin/plot-formula.mpl?expression=%28%281%2F2%29%284%29%29%5E2+=+4 ALIGN=MIDDLE  ALT=\"%28%281%2F2%29%284%29%29%5E2+=+4\"   DISABLED_style= \"max-width:90%; height:auto;\" > to both sides.<BR>\n" );
document.write( "<IMG STYLE=\"max-width:80%;\" SRC=/cgi-bin/plot-formula.mpl?expression=x%5E2+%2B+4x+%2B+4+=+16 ALIGN=MIDDLE  ALT=\"x%5E2+%2B+4x+%2B+4+=+16\"   DISABLED_style= \"max-width:90%; height:auto;\" >\r<BR>\n" );
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document.write( "3) Factor the trinomial.<BR>\n" );
document.write( "<IMG STYLE=\"max-width:80%;\" SRC=/cgi-bin/plot-formula.mpl?expression=%28x+%2B+2%29%28x+%2B+2%29+=+16 ALIGN=MIDDLE  ALT=\"%28x+%2B+2%29%28x+%2B+2%29+=+16\"   DISABLED_style= \"max-width:90%; height:auto;\" > or<BR>\n" );
document.write( "<IMG STYLE=\"max-width:80%;\" SRC=/cgi-bin/plot-formula.mpl?expression=%28x+%2B+2%29%5E2+=+16 ALIGN=MIDDLE  ALT=\"%28x+%2B+2%29%5E2+=+16\"   DISABLED_style= \"max-width:90%; height:auto;\" >\r<BR>\n" );
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document.write( "Now take the square root of both sides.<BR>\n" );
document.write( "<IMG STYLE=\"max-width:80%;\" SRC=/cgi-bin/plot-formula.mpl?expression=sqrt%28%28x+%2B+2%29%5E2%29+=+%28%2B-+sqrt%2816%29%29 ALIGN=MIDDLE  ALT=\"sqrt%28%28x+%2B+2%29%5E2%29+=+%28%2B-+sqrt%2816%29%29\"   DISABLED_style= \"max-width:90%; height:auto;\" ><BR>\n" );
document.write( "x + 2 = +/-4  Subtract 2 from both sides.\r<BR>\n" );
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document.write( "x = 4 - 2 = 2 or<BR>\n" );
document.write( "x = -4 -2 = -6\r<BR>\n" );
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document.write( "In this case the roots are real. \r<BR>\n" );
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document.write( " </SPAN>\n" );
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