document.write( "Question 62205: 4. Solve by completing the square.\r
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\n" ); document.write( "\n" ); document.write( "x^2-5x+2\r
\n" ); document.write( "\n" ); document.write( "I can't figure out my next step. I got as far as 1/2(-5)^2=. 2.5 is half of 5 but then what do I do? \n" ); document.write( "

Algebra.Com's Answer #42939 by Earlsdon(6294) $\"\"$ $\"About$

You can put this solution on YOUR website!
Solve by completing the square:
\n" ); document.write( " $\"x%5E2-5x%2B2+=+0\"$ ? You left out the = so I'm presuming it was supposed to be = 0. Start by subtracting 2 from both sides.
\n" ); document.write( " $\"x%5E2-5x+=+-2\"$ Now complete the square in the x-terms by adding the square of half the x-coefficient, that's $\"%285%2F2%29%5E2+=+25%2F4\"$ to both sides.
\n" ); document.write( " $\"x%5E2-5x%2B25%2F4+=+%2825%2F4%29-2\"$ Factor the left sides and simplify.
\n" ); document.write( " $\"%28x-5%2F2%29%5E2+=+%2825-8%29%2F4\"$
\n" ); document.write( " $\"%28x-5%2F2%29%5E2+=+17%2F4\"$ Take the square root of both sides.
\n" ); document.write( " $\"x-5%2F2+=+%28sqrt%2817%29%29%2F2\"$ (+ or -) Finally, add 5/2 to both sides.
\n" ); document.write( " $\"x+=+5%2F2%2B%281%2F2%29sqrt%2817%29\"$ and
\n" ); document.write( " $\"x+=+5%2F2-%281%2F2%29sqrt%2817%29\"$ \r
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