SOLUTION: To complete the square of x^2+bx , a number is added to the expression.Explain why the number added cannot be negative

Click here to see ALL problems on Quadratic Equations

Question 1092844: To complete the square of x^2+bx , a number is added to the expression.Explain why the number added cannot be negative
Found 2 solutions by josgarithmetic, ikleyn:
Answer by josgarithmetic(39617)   (Show Source):
You can put this solution on YOUR website!
Meaning of Completing the Square
https://www.algebra.com/my/Completing-the-Square-Using-Pictures.lesson?content_action=show_dev

Answer by ikleyn(52781)   (Show Source):
You can put this solution on YOUR website!
.
It can not be negative, because it is a square of a real number.

More concretely, the added number is this square: = .

------------
On completing the square see the lessons
    - Introduction into Quadratic Equations
    - PROOF of quadratic formula by completing the square
    - HOW TO complete the square - Learning by examples
in this site.

Also, you have this free of charge online textbook in ALGEBRA-I in this site
    - ALGEBRA-I - YOUR ONLINE TEXTBOOK.

The referred lessons are the part of this textbook under the topic "Quadratic equations".

Save the link to this online textbook together with its description

Free of charge online textbook in ALGEBRA-I
https://www.algebra.com/algebra/homework/quadratic/lessons/ALGEBRA-I-YOUR-ONLINE-TEXTBOOK.lesson

to your archive and use it when it is needed.