Unit: Quadratic Equations and InequalitiesModule: Solving by Completing the Square [Page 1 of 1]

Solving by Completing the Square

• Completing the square is a process used to solve quadratic equations. In

this method
1. Move constants across the equal sign away from the variable.
2. Divide the coefficient of the unsquared term by two and square that
answer.
3. Add that answer to both sides of the equation to create a perfect
square trinomial with the variable.
4. Factor the perfect square trinomial.
5. Take the square root of both sides.
6. Add or subtract constants as necessary to solve for the variable.

You have two ways to solve this problem.

You can move the 25 to the left side and then factor.
Or, as shown here, you can square root both sides of
the equation. Either way you will find that x = 5, -5.
Remember: You get both a positive and a negative
root.
A problem like this one invites you to factor it so you
can solve for x.
However, it won't factor.

Remembering the problem above, you begin to look for

a way to square root here too.
Step one: Move the +1 to the right side.

Step Two: Divide the coefficient of the 6x by 2 and

square to get 9.

Step Three: Add 9 to both sides of the equation.

You have created a perfect square on the side with the

variable.
Step Four: Factor your perfect square.
Step Five: Square root both sides of the equation.
Step Six: Subtract +3 to isolate x.
This gives you two answers for x, as expected.
Note: In this specific example, you can simplify the
radical rather than leaving 8 under the radical.

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Copyright  2001, Thinkwell Corp. All Rights Reserved. 6689 –rev 05/01/2001

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 Unit: Quadratic Equations and Inequalities Module: Solving by Completing the Square [Page 1 of 1]

Completing the Square: Another Example

• When a square term has a coefficient other than 1, divide the entire
equation by that coefficient to eliminate having to consider it with the
squared term.

• When completing the square, keep all the terms with the variable you are
solving for on the left and move all the other terms to the right of the equal
sign.

Completing the square works with x2 where the coefficient

is 1. So, in this case eliminate the 2 by dividing the entire
equation by 2.

Next, move the terms without the variable you’re solving

for over to the right side of the equal sign.
This allows you to complete the square for the terms
remaining on the left side.
To complete the square:

1. Divide the coefficient of the unsquared term, the 2 in

this example, in half: 2/2 = 1.

2. Square that half: (1)2 = 1.

3. Add that newly found number to both sides of the

equation: add 1 to both sides.

Now, rewrite the left side as the square of a binomial.

Once you’ve got a square on the left, just take the square
root of both sides to get to x.
Then move the constant with x to the right side.
And, you’ve indicated your two answers with the ± sign, so
you’re done, almost.
Remember: Most people dislike radicals in the
denominator. So, take the extra step to eliminate those
from your answers.
And here are your two finished answers.

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Copyright  2004, Thinkwell Corp. All Rights Reserved. 6691.doc –rev 05/03/2004

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 Unit: Quadratic Equations and Inequalities Module: Solving by Completing the Square [Page 1 of 1]

Finding the Vertex by Completing the Square

• Standard form of a parabola: f (x) = ax 2 + bx + c.

• Vertex of a parabola: (h,k).

• h = -b/2a.
• k = f (h).

• Standard form for parabola showing vertex: f (x) = a (x - h)2 + k.

• Completing the square is one method for changing a function into the
standard form in order to be able to graph it easier.

In this example the x-terms are (x 2 + 4x).

To complete that square, divide the 4 in half, square it, and add it
inside the x-term expression so that you have (x 2 + 4x + 4).
To maintain the balance of the function, add a –4 outside the
x-term expression.

Combine like terms and contract the square.

The vertex is visible as (-2,-3).
In addition you know this will be a positive parabola.
Your graphing job is easy.
Follow the same process for this example as above.

Within the x-expression, you’ll add 16.

Outside that expression, add –16 for balance.

Factor into squared form and your vertex is (4,-11).

It’s a positive parabola.

Again, follow the same process as above.

Calculate the value to add and subtract.

Factor into squared form.
Graph the vertex.

Note that this is a negative parabola and graph the curve.

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Copyright  2001, Thinkwell Corp. All Rights Reserved. 6867 –rev 05/21/2001