Completing the square

Completing the square is a method of rewriting the quadratic equation (a polynomial equation of degree
2) in a form that is more convenient for solving. It is often used to find the roots of the equation (the
values of x that make the equation true), or to find the maximum or minimum value of the quadratic
function (the graph of the equation).

To complete the square, we follow these steps:

1. Write the quadratic equation in the form ax^2 + bx + c = 0.

2. Divide the coefficient of the x^2 term (a) by 4 and square the result: (a/4)^2.

3. Add this squared term to both sides of the equation: (a/4)^2 + ax^2 + bx + c = (a/4)^2.

4. Complete the square by adding and subtracting the square of half of the coefficient of the x
term (b/2) to both sides: (a/4)^2 + (b/2)^2 + ax^2 + bx + c - (b/2)^2 = (a/4)^2 - (b/2)^2.

5. Rearrange the terms to put the equation in standard form: (ax^2 + bx + (b/2)^2) + (c - (b/2)^2) =
0.

6. Factor the left-hand side of the equation: (ax^2 + bx + (b/2)^2) = (x + (b/2a))^2.

7. Solve the equation by setting each factor equal to 0 and solving for x: x = -(b/2a).

For example, consider the quadratic equation x^2 - 6x + 8 = 0. To complete the square, we follow these
steps:

1. Write the equation in the form ax^2 + bx + c = 0: 1x^2 - 6x + 8 = 0.

2. Divide the coefficient of the x^2 term (a) by 4 and square the result: (1/4)^2 = 1/16.

3. Add this squared term to both sides of the equation: 1/16 + 1x^2 - 6x + 8 = 1/16.

4. Complete the square by adding and subtracting the square of half of the coefficient of the x
term (-6/2)^2 = 9 to both sides: 1/16 + 9 + 1x^2 - 6x + 8 - 9 = 1/16 - 9.

5. Rearrange the terms to put the equation in standard form: (1x^2 - 6x + 9) + (-1) = 0.
 6. Factor the left-hand side of the equation: (1x^2 - 6x + 9) = (x - 3)^2.

7. Solve the equation by setting each factor equal to 0 and solving for x: x = 3.

Completing the square has several useful applications. For example, we can use it to find the roots of
the quadratic equation (the values of x that make the equation true), or to find the maximum or
minimum value of the quadratic function (the graph of the equation).