SOLUTION: Please help me answer this question I am stuck and cannot get past it. Thank you for any help you can give me :) explain how to solve a quadratic equation by completing the squa

Algebra ->  Systems-of-equations -> SOLUTION: Please help me answer this question I am stuck and cannot get past it. Thank you for any help you can give me :) explain how to solve a quadratic equation by completing the squa      Log On


   

Question 570251: Please help me answer this question I am stuck and cannot get past it. Thank you for any help you can give me :)
explain how to solve a quadratic equation by completing the square. Demonstrate the process with your own example. Please explain step by step how you worked through your example.
Answer by ankor@dixie-net.com(22740) About Me  (Show Source):
You can put this solution on YOUR website!
explain how to solve a quadratic equation by completing the square.
Using the example x^2 + 6x - 2 = 0
:
We complete the square by finding the third term, when we subtract 2 from both sides:
x^2 + 6x + ____ = 2
:
The third terms can be found by dividing the coefficient of x by 2 and squaring it.
In this case it is 6, half of 6 = 3, 3^2 = 9, so we add 9 to both sides
x^2 + 6x + 9 = 2 + 9
x^2 + 6x + 9 = 11
:
Factor to reveal a perfect square
(x+3)(x+3) = 11
or
(x+3)^2 = 11
:
Find the square root of both sides
x + 3 = +/-sqrt%2811%29
x = -3 +/-sqrt%2811%29
Two solutions
x = -3 + sqrt%2811%29
and
x = -3 - sqrt%2811%29