Sunday, 25 May 2014

COMPLETING THE SQUARE METHOD

This is the original problem.4x2 – 2x – 5 = 0Move the loose number over to the other side.4x2 – 2x = 5Divide through by whatever is multiplied on the squared term.
Take half of the coefficient (don't forget the sign!) of the x-term, and square it. Add this square to both sides of the equation.
Convert the left-hand side to squared form, and simplify the right-hand side. (This is where you use that sign that you kept track of earlier. You plug it into the middle of the parenthetical part.)
(x – 1/4)^2 = 21/16Square-root both sides, remembering the"±" on the right-hand side.  Simplify as necessary.x – 1/4 = ± sqrt(21)/4Solve for "x =".x = 1/4 ± sqrt(21)/4Remember that the "±" means that you have two values for x.x = 1/4 – sqrt(21)/4 and x = 1/4 + sqrt(21)/4

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