SOLUTION: can you help me express the following as (x+a)^2+b the equation is x^2+6x-1

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Question 904561: can you help me express the following as (x+a)^2+b the equation is x^2+6x-1
Answer by Theo(13342) About Me  (Show Source):
You can put this solution on YOUR website!
you need to complete the squares.

start with x^2 + 6x - 1

take half the coefficient of the x term and use it to form the factors of (x+3)^2

now take half the coefficient of the x term and square it and subtract it from the result.

you get x^2 + 6x - 1 = (x+3)^2 - 9 - 1 which results in (x+3)^2 - 10.

if you look at what you did, take (x+3)^2 and perform the operation to get x^2 + 6x + 9

your equation becomes x^2 + 6x + 9 - 10

once you combine like terms you are left with x^2 + 6x - 1 which is your original equation.