SOLUTION: Solve by completing the square. m^2-(49/2)m=1/2 the solutions are? please help me solve.

Algebra ->  Quadratic Equations and Parabolas  -> Quadratic Equations Lessons  -> Quadratic Equation Lesson -> SOLUTION: Solve by completing the square. m^2-(49/2)m=1/2 the solutions are? please help me solve.      Log On


   



Question 262792: Solve by completing the square.
m^2-(49/2)m=1/2
the solutions are?
please help me solve.

Answer by drk(1908) About Me  (Show Source):
You can put this solution on YOUR website!
Here is the original; question
m%5E2-%2849%2F2%29m=1%2F2
step 1 - rewrite this as
m%5E2-%2849%2F2%29m+%2B+_____+=1%2F2+%2B+_____
the blanks are waiting for numbers.
step 2 - take 1/2 of the middle term and square it to get
m%5E2-%2849%2F2%29m+%2B+%28-49%2F4%29%5E2=1%2F2+%2B+%28-49%2F4%29%5E2
step 3 - rewrite the left side as a binomial squared and simplify the right sides to get
%28m-49%2F4%29%5E2+=+1%2F2+%2B+2401%2F16
and then
%28m-49%2F4%29%5E2+=+2409%2F16
step 4 - take a square root of both sides to get
m-49%2F4+=+%2B-sqrt%282409%29%2F4
step 5- add 49/4 to get
m+=+%2849+%2B-sqrt%282409%29%29%2F4
we end with
x ~ 24.52
or
x ~ -0.02