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Algebra: Complete The Square For Expressions

This document provides a lesson on completing the square to manipulate quadratic expressions. It begins by looking for patterns in square binomials and learning to complete the square of quadratic expressions. This allows expressions to be written in the form of a(x ± p)2 ± q, which determines if the expression has a maximum or minimum value. Examples are provided to practice completing the square and to determine if expressions are always positive or negative. The document concludes with an example of using completing the square to find the maximum area of a rectangular enclosure with a given perimeter.

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44 views

Algebra: Complete The Square For Expressions

This document provides a lesson on completing the square to manipulate quadratic expressions. It begins by looking for patterns in square binomials and learning to complete the square of quadratic expressions. This allows expressions to be written in the form of a(x ± p)2 ± q, which determines if the expression has a maximum or minimum value. Examples are provided to practice completing the square and to determine if expressions are always positive or negative. The document concludes with an example of using completing the square to find the maximum area of a rectangular enclosure with a given perimeter.

Uploaded by

TuyếnĐặng
Copyright
© © All Rights Reserved
Available Formats
Download as PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd
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ALGEBRA

Complete the square for expressions

Lesson

Learning Outcomes and Assesments Standards


Learning Outcomes 2: Algebra
Assessment Standard
Manipulate algebraic expressions by completing the square

Overview
In this lesson you will:

Look for patterns in square binomials.


Learn to complete the square of quadratic binomials expressions.
Use this concept to find maximum or minimum values.
Prove that expressions are positive or negative.
Apply this concept in problem solving.

Lesson
Squares are useful why?
We know that x2 is always positive, and when x = 0, x2 = 0.
So we write: x2 0 for all x.
So if we have (x + 2)2, then it will be zero if x = 2, but if x 2, then it is always
positive.
We write (x + 2)2 0 for all x.
Now what happens when we have (x + 2)2 + 4?
Lets see: (x + 2)2 0 for all x.
If I add 4 both sides: (x + 2)2 + 4 0 + 4
So we write: (x + 2)2 + 4 4 which tells us that it is bigger or equal to 4. So
minimum value is 4.
So if I have ( x 1)2 4,
then (x 1)2 0
so (x 1)2 4 4
Here the minimum value is 4

So why are squares useful? They guarantee that the term is positive!
Also remember: if (x + 2)2 0, then
(x + 2)2 0
So (x + 2)2 + 4 4
From y = ax2 bx + c to y = a(x p)2 q
If ax2 bx + c
= a(x p)2 q
Then ax2 bx + c
= a(x2 2px + p2) +q

= ax2 2apx + ap2 +q
q
b
c
Divide by a: x2 + _
ax + _
a = x2 2px + p2 + _
a

Page 

Comparing the coefficient:


For x: _b = 2p p = _
b
a

2a

q
constant: _ac= p2 + _a

c = ap2 + q q = c ap2

Look at the following squares and find a pattern.


(x + 3)2

(x 1)2

= x2 + 6x + (3)2

= x2 2x + (1)2

(x + 4)2

2
(x _21 )

= x2 x + ( _21)

= x2 + 8x + (4)2

What pattern do you see?


The third term of the trinomial is (half of the co-efficient of x term)2.
Examples
What must be added to the following expressions so that the expressions will
result in a perfect square?
1)

x2 + 6x

2)

4)

x2 3x

5)

x2 + 5x
x2 + _1 x
6)
2

x2 4x

3)
x2 _32 x

Solutions
1.

x2 + 6x + ( _26 )

2.

= x2 + 6x + 9

3.

x ( _
24 )2

4.

= x2 4x +4

5.

( )

_1 2
2
_

x2 + _21 x + 2

6.

2
= x2 + _21 x + ( _21 _21 )

2
= x2 + _21 x + ( _41 )

= x2 + _21 x + _
1
16

x2 + 5x + ( _25 )
25

= x2 + 5x + _
2

3 2
x 3x + ( _
2)
= x2 3x + _9
2

4
2
_32
2
_
2 _
x 3 x + 2
2
= x2 _32 x + _31
= x2 _32 x + _91

( )

( )

Now do Activity 1.

Completing the square


Examples
Complete the square for the following expressions:

Page 

1.

x2 4x + 10

= x2 4x + (2)2 (2)2 + 10

= x2 4x + 4 4 +10

= (x 2)2 + 6

The expression is always positive

: :

Conclude with x2 4x + 10 = (x 2)2 + 6





form
form

ax2 + bx + c a(x p)2 + q

The minimum value is 6 when x = 2

2.

x2 + 3x +1

Solution
Take out a factor of 1
(x2 3 1)

2
Add and subtract (_23)

[
= [(x _23 ) _49 1]
13
4
= (x _23 ) + _

2
= x2 3x + ( _23) _49 1

13
The expression has a maximum value of _
4when x = _23
2
2
3.
2x2 3x 1 = 2 x2 _3 x + ( _3 ) ( _3 ) _1
2

[ 2 4 4 2 ]
9 _
8
= 2[(x _43 ) _
16 16 ]
17
8
= 2(x _43 ) _
13
+ 3x + 1 = (x _23 ) + _
4

x2

There is an easier way.


2x2 3x 1
_1

= [16x2 24x 8]8

4(2) = 8 and 8
_1
8

= [16x2 24x +99 8] add (3)2 and subtract (3)2


_1

= [
(4x 3)2 17]8

Practise exercise (work with a friend)


Complete the square for the following expressions. Attempt the exercise first
and then check you answers.
1.

x2 + 4x + 2

2.

2x2 3x + 6

3.

2x2 + 4x 5

Solutions
1.

x2 + 4x + 2

= x2 + 4x + (2)2 + 2 add and subtract ( _24 )

= (x + 2) 4 + 2

= (x + 2)2 2

The minimum value of the expression is 2.

2.

2x2 3x + 6

Take out a common factor of 2

2(x2 _23 x + 3)

Add (_43 ) and subtract ( _43 ) in the brackets.

Factorise the quadratic trinomial

(form the square)

PPaaggee1

Lesson 1 | Algebra

2
2[(x _43 ) _
9+ 3]
16

Distribute

2(x _43 ) _89 + 6

2
39
8
= 2(x _43 ) + _

Conclusions

2
39
8tells us that the expression is always positive.
2(x _43 ) + _

39
The expression has a minimum value of _
8when x = _43 .

3.

2x2 +4x 5

Solution

2[x2 2x + _25 ]

= 2[x2 2x + (1)2 1 + _25 ]


= 2[(x 1)2 + _3 ]
2

= 2(x 1) 3
2

the expression has a maximum value of 3 when x = 1.

The expression is always negative.


Now do Activity 2 numbers 1 to 2

Mathematical modelling
James intends to build a rectangular enclosure for his chickens. He has 100 m of
fencing. He intends using a wall for one side of the enclosure.
wall
y
x

a)

Formulate an expression in x for the area of the enclosure.

b)

What will the maximum area of this enclosure be?

c)

Which dimensions gives this maximum area?

a)

2y + x = 100

2y = 100 x
y = 50 _1 x

A = x(50 _21 x)

A = _21x 2 + 50x

A = _21[x2 100x + (50)2 2500]

Page 

b)

A = _21(x 50)2 + 1250

Max. area 1 250 m2

Dimensions

x = 50

c)

y = 25

Now do Activity 2 no 4.

Activity 1
What term must be added to each of the following expressions so that the
expression will result in a perfect square.
1.
3.

x2 + 7x
x2 + _1 x
4.
4

x2 6x

2.
x2 _52 x

Activity 2
1. Complete the square of each of the following expressions and write the
expression in the form a(x p)2 q
Say whether the expression has a maximum or minimum value and
determine the max or min value.

a)

x2 + 3x 7

b)

x2 5x 1

c)

3x2 + 2x + 7

d)

5x2 + 4x +3

e)

x2 +px + 3

f)

px2 + qx + r

2.

Prove that the following quadratic expressions are always positive.

a)

x2 x +5

c)

10x2 + 5x + 2

3.

Prove that the following quadratic expressions are always negative.

a)

4.

x2 + 3x -5

b)

b)

2x2 3x + 8

4x2 2x 1

40 x

i)

Find an expression for the area of the above rectangle.

ii)

Find the maximum area of the rectangle.

iii) What are the dimensions of the rectangle so that the area is a
maximum.

PPaaggee1

Lesson 1 | Algebra

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