document.write( "Question 101906: Solve the equation by completing the square\r
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document.write( "x^2 - 14x + 24 = 0 \n" );
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Algebra.Com's Answer #74284 by ankor@dixie-net.com(22740)![]() ![]() You can put this solution on YOUR website! Solve the equation by completing the square \n" ); document.write( "x^2 - 14x + 24 = 0 \n" ); document.write( ": \n" ); document.write( "x^2 - 14x + ___ = -24 \n" ); document.write( ": \n" ); document.write( "Find the 3rd term to make it a perfect square. Divide the coefficient of x by 2 and square it: \n" ); document.write( "In this problem: 14/2 = 7; 7^2 = 49, (add 49 to both sides) \n" ); document.write( "x^2 - 14x + 49 = -24 + 49 \n" ); document.write( ": \n" ); document.write( "In factored form we have: \n" ); document.write( "(x - 7)^2 = 25 \n" ); document.write( ": \n" ); document.write( "Find the square root of both sides: \n" ); document.write( "x - 7 = +/-Sqrt(25) \n" ); document.write( ": \n" ); document.write( "x - 7 = +/-5 \n" ); document.write( ": \n" ); document.write( "Two solutions: \n" ); document.write( "x = + 7 + 5 \n" ); document.write( "x = 12 \n" ); document.write( "and \n" ); document.write( "x = +7 -5 \n" ); document.write( "x = 2 \n" ); document.write( ": \n" ); document.write( ": \n" ); document.write( "Check our solutions by FOILing (x-12)*(x-2) = x^2 - 14x + 24 \n" ); document.write( " \n" ); document.write( " |