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Assn 1E

This document provides examples and explanations of completing the square, which is a technique for writing quadratic expressions in standard form (x - h)2 + k. It begins with examples of squaring binomial expressions like (x + 3)2 and determining the coefficient of the middle term. It then has examples of writing quadratics in standard form and filling in missing terms of squared binomials. The document explains that completing the square allows solving quadratics and putting them in standard form to find the vertex. It provides practice problems writing quadratics in standard form and solving quadratic equations using completing the square.

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sdenoyer
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20 views2 pages

Assn 1E

This document provides examples and explanations of completing the square, which is a technique for writing quadratic expressions in standard form (x - h)2 + k. It begins with examples of squaring binomial expressions like (x + 3)2 and determining the coefficient of the middle term. It then has examples of writing quadratics in standard form and filling in missing terms of squared binomials. The document explains that completing the square allows solving quadratics and putting them in standard form to find the vertex. It provides practice problems writing quadratics in standard form and solving quadratic equations using completing the square.

Uploaded by

sdenoyer
Copyright
© Attribution Non-Commercial (BY-NC)
Available Formats
Download as DOCX, PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd
Download as docx, pdf, or txt
Download as docx, pdf, or txt
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Assn 1E

Completing the square (of a quantity)


You know, of course, how to square a quantity by distributing.
For example, by distributing (x + 3)(x + 3), (x + 3)2 is x2 + 3x + 3x + 9 or x2 + 6x + 9
After doing several of these, you can see that the resulting middle term (ex: 6x) has a coefficient
which is double the last term in the quantity being squared (Ex: x + 3  2*3 = 6).
[ in general, the middle term of (x + h)2 is 2h x; the middle term of (x – h)2 is –2h x]
Practice: What is the middle term of each of these squares (you should not need to distribute)?
(x – 5)2 (x + 7)2 (x + t)2 (x – a)2 (x + 4.5)2

Now, as we often do in mathematics, it is time to think in reverse.


This time you are to write the given quadratic as a squared quantity – all of them are.

x2 + 8x + 16 x2 – 8x + 16 x2 – 10x + 25 x2 + 4x + 4 x2 – 5x + 25
/4

And now for the final process.


This time you are to fill in every missing item so that the statement is true.
Be sure to verify your answers by actually distributing, if you are at all uncertain.

x2 + 12x +  ( )2 x2 – 6x +  ( )2 x2 – 3x +  ( )2

What you did on the last three problems was called “completing the square”.
It simply involves taking an existing quadratic’s first two terms and “completing” it so that it is equivalent
to a squared quantity.
It is done with relative ease since the constant in the quantity is one-half of the x-term’s coefficient.

This technique is used conveniently to :


1) solve quadratics (w/o quadform!) 2) change equations into standard form 3) and more . . . .
*** You will be using this process in EQUATIONS !! Be aware that you cannot just add or subtract
values at will – you must keep the equation “balanced”, that is, keep it equivalent to the previous step.

Example: Writing quadratic functions in standard form, given the general form.

y = x2 – 6x + 3
The key is to “see” the square in the last step : (x – 3) 2 .
2
y = x – 6x + 9 – 6
This tells you to write “ + 9” in the second step, “completing” the square;
2
y = (x – 3) – 6 and to write “ – 6 “ afterwards, to keep the equation equivalent to the original

As you know, the advantage of this standard form is that you can now see the vertex is (3, –6)

Your turn: write each general quadratic in standard form (while you’re at it, state the vertex of each).

y = x2 + 2x + 5 y = x2 – 14x – 30 y = x2 – 7x + 11
/2 (use fractions!)
Assn 1E

Here is an example of how to use completing the square to obtain the exact solution of a quadratic equation.

Solve : x2 + 6x + 2 = 0 Try one: Solve : x2 – 12x + 11 = 0

x2 + 6x = – 2

x2 + 6x + 9 = – 2 + 9

(x + 3)2 = 7

x+3 =  7

x = 3  7

Now for a challenge, or two, or three.


The first one isn’t bad (divide by 2 to begin with) but involves fractions – use only fractions.
The second one is “worse”, but manageable – use only fractions.
The third one . . . blessings!!

2x2 + 6x = 3 x2 – 2 = 5/2x 3x2 + 8x – 5 = 0

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