Completing the Square Using Algebra Tiles

2 2
3 x+1
1. Use your calculator to graph the equation: y =(x+1)
x 2 + 6 x + 9 . Write (x+1)
2 the equation + 2 form.
in vertex

2. Sketch algebra tiles to model the equation y = x 2 + 6 x + 9 .

4.5.1 Completing the Square Algebra Tile Investigation
Recall the values of each of the algebra tiles. The value of the tile is its area. We will only be
working with positive (red tiles) representations of algebraic expressions.

e Algebra Tile Investigation (continued)

x Tile 2
x Tile Unit Tile
2
Area = Area
x x = xofunits
the Area = 1 x = x units
Area = 1 1 = 1 unit
Expression
mber Length of Unit Tiles
Square Combining
Unit Sketch of the Square the 2 Left Over (+)
es Our original equation was written in standard
Your
Square form,
(Length)
Task: With a partner,
2
y = complete
ax +Borrowed
bx c . Since
the+following it is usually Two
Previous
investigation.
(-) much easier to graph a
1. Complete the table on the next two pages using algebra tiles. Columns
2
parabola if the equation is in vertex form, y = a(xeach
a) Represent ) + k , often
hexpression we
using the try to number
appropriate rewrite the ofequation
of each from quadratic
the algebra tiles.
b) Using the tiles you selected, try to create a square of tiles. When doing so, keep the
form into vertex form. We will use algebra tilesrules
following to help us understand why this procedure works.
in mind:
You may only use one x2-tile in each square.
You must use all the x2 and x-tiles. Unit tiles are the only ones that can be
When we are trying to write an equation in vertex form, we need to have a perfect square to make the ( x h)2
leftover or borrowed.
If you need more unit tiles to create a square you have to borrow them. The
part of the equation. When the quadratic equation we are given is not a perfect square, we arrange the parts to
number you borrow will be a negative quantity.
2 2
3 x+1 You(x+1)
may create multiple squares,
2 but they must have (x+1) + 2size
the same
form a perfect square, adding what we need or keeping whatever extra pieces we may get. This activity will
help you discover how to start the process ofhave
2. After you forming the
completed theperfect square
table, answer fromquestions:
the following what you are given.
a) What strategy did you use to place the x tiles around the x2 tile?
e Algebra Tile Investigation (continued) 2
3. Create a partial square with algebra tiles to Area
represent
of thex + 2 x + ______ .
b) Can you create a square with an odd number of x tiles? Expression
mber Length of 22 Unit Tiles
Square Combining
Unit Sketch of the Square the Left Over (+)
es
a) How many unit
(Length) tiles
2
do you need to complete
Previous the
c) What is the relationship between the value of a and the number of
Square Borrowed (-)
square?
Two
squares you
created? Columns

d) What is the name of the form for the combined expression in the last column?
b) What are the dimensions of the completed square?
L= W=
e) Why is Completing the Square an appropriate name for this procedure?

3
c)x+1
Replace c(x+1)
and 2? with numbers
2
to make the statement
(x+1) 2
+ 2 true:
x 2 + 2x + c = ( x + ?)
2
Grade 11 U/C Unit 4: Quadratic - Highs and Lows
21

4. Create a partial square with algebra tiles to represent x 2 + 4x + ______ .

a) How many unit tiles do you need to complete the square?

b) What are the dimensions of the completed square?

L= W=

c) Replace the c and ? with numbers to make the statement true:

x 2 + 4x + c = ( x + ?)
2

22
5. Create a partial square with algebra tiles to represent x 2 6x + ______ .

a) How many unit tiles do you need to complete the square?

b) What are the dimensions of the completed square?

L= W=

c) Fill in the blanks with numbers to make the statement true:

x 2 6x + c = ( x + ?)
2

6. What is the relationship between the coefficient of x and the number of xs you have down one side of your
algebra tile diagram?

7. What is the relationship between the number of xs down one side of the algebra tile diagram and the
question mark in your perfect square binomial?

8. What is the relationship between the coefficient of x and22the question mark in your perfect square binomial?

9. What is the relationship between the question mark of your perfect square binomial and the number of
blocks (or units) you had to add to make your diagram a perfect square?

10. In the expression y = x 2 + bx + c , how do you use b to get the value of c to form a perfect square? Use the
examples above (3-5) to explain your answer.

11. Try these problemsFill in the missing c and then rewrite the trinomial as a perfect square binomial.

a) x 2 10 x + c b) x 2 4 x + c

c) x 2 + 12 x + c d) x 2 12 x + c

e) x 2 + 7 x + c f) x 2 + bx + c
 Represent each expression by sketching algebra tiles. Try to create a square of tiles. When doing so
keep the following rules in mind:
You may only use one x 2 -tile in each square.
You must use all the x 2 and x-tiles. Unit tiles are the only ones that can be leftover or
borrowed.
If you need more unit tiles to create a square you have to borrow them. The number you
borrow will be a negative quantity.
4.5.1 Completing the Square Algebra Tile Investigation (continued)
Area of the Expression
Standard Number Number Number Length of Unit Tiles
Square Combining
Form of x2 of x of Unit Sketch of the Square the Left Over (+)
(Length)2 Previous Two
Tiles Tiles Tiles Square Borrowed (-)
Columns

x2 + 2x + 3 1 2 3 x+1 (x+1)2 2 (x+1)2 + 2

x2 + 4x + 1

xx2 ++ 6x +10
2
+8

Grade 11 U/C Unit 4: Quadratic - Highs and Lows 22

12. What is the name of the form for the combined expression in the last column?

Convert the following equations from standard form to vertex form by completing the square.

13. y = x 2 8x +11 14. y = x 2 +16x +14

Now lets solve a quadratic equation using Completing the Square.

Steps: Example: x 2 + 6x 14 = 0 You try: x 2 + 8x 20 = 0

a) Move constant term of quadratic x 2 + 6x 14 +14 = 0 +14
to the other side. Write the equation
x 2 + 6x + __ = 14 + __
in ax 2 + bx + __ = c + __ form.
b) Complete the square by adding a x 2 + 6x + 9 = 14 + 9
constant to both sides.

c) Rewrite the left side of the (x + 3)2 = 25

equation as a binomial squared and
simplify the right side.
d) Square root both sides. x + 3 = 5

e) Solve for x. x + 3 = 5 x+3= 5

x + 3 3 = 5 3 x + 33 = 53
x = 8 x=2

Solve the following equations by completing the square using the steps above.

15. x 2 4x 32 = 0 16. x 2 + 8x + 7 = 0
a) a)

b) b)

c) c)

d) d)

e) e)

If the leading coefficient 1 , we must first divide each term by a so that the coefficient of the x 2 term is 1.
Then complete the same steps above.

17. 2x 2 + 4x 3 = 0 18. 3x 2 +18x +12 = 0