EQUATIONS AND INEQUALITIES

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Solving a quadratic equation by…
completing the square: Exact
answers Español
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QUESTION

Solve the quadratic equation by completing the square.

2
x − 4x − 2 = 0

First, choose the appropriate form and fill in the blanks with the correct
numbers.
Then, solve the equation. If there is more than one solution, separate them
with commas.
Form:
2
x + =

2
x − =

Solution:

x =

EXPLANATION

To solve by completing the square, we must first rewrite the equation in one of
these forms.
2 2
x+a =b or x−a =b

Here is how we do it.

2
x − 4x − 2 = 0
2 2
x − 4x = 2 Keeping only the terms in x and x on the left-hand side
2
2 −4
x − 4x + 4 = 2 + 4 Adding = 4 to both sides Why?
2
2
x−2 =6 Writing the left-hand side as a perfect square

We then solve the equation.

x−2= 6 or x−2= − 6
x=2+ 6 or x=2− 6

ANSWER

Form:
2
x + =

2
x − 2 = 6

Solution:

x = 2 + 6 ,2 − 6

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