Name: _______________________________________________

 
 
 
 

IGCSE (9-1) Maths new topics:

Completing the square
 

 
Date:
 
 
 
 
Time: 35 minutes
 
Total marks available: 30
 
Total marks achieved: ______
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

 
[GCSE]

Q1. The expression x2 – 8x + 21 can be written in the form (x – a)2 + b for all values of x.
(a) Find the value of a and the value of b.

a=......................

b=......................
(3)
The equation of a curve is y = f(x) where f(x) = x2 – 8x + 21
The diagram shows part of a sketch of the graph of y = f(x).

The minimum point of the curve is M.

(b) Write down the coordinates of M.
(1)
(Total 4 marks)

[GCSE]
Q2. The expression x2 − 8x + 6 can be written in the form (x − p)2 + q for all values of x.
(a) Find the value of p and the value of q.

p = ...........................................................

q = ...........................................................
(3)
The graph of y = x2 − 8x + 6 has a minimum point.
(b) Write down the coordinates of this point.
(............................. , .............................)
(1)
(Total 4 marks)

2 IGCSE (9-1) Maths topics new topics:

Completing the square
[GCSE]
Q3. By completing the square, find the coordinates of the turning point of the curve with
equation y = x2 + 10x + 18
You must show all your working.

(............................ , ............................)
(Total 3 marks)

Q4. (a) Write 2x2 – 8x + 9 in the form a(x + b)2 + c

(3)
(b) Hence, or otherwise, explain why the graph of the curve with equation
y = 2x2 – 8x + 9 = 0 does not intersect the x-axis.
(1)
(Total 4 marks)

[Awards]
Q5. (a) Write the quadratic expression x2 + 4x + 7 in the form (x + m)2 + n
where m and n are integers.
(2)
(b) Write down the coordinates of the turning point of the graph of y = x2 + 4x + 7
(1)
(Total 3 marks)

[Awards]
Q6. (a) (i) Write the quadratic expression x2 + 6x + 7 in the form (x + a)2 + b
where a and b are integers.

(ii) Hence solve the equation x2 + 6x + 7 = 0

Give your answer in the form p ± √q where p and q are integers.
(4)
(b) Sketch the graph of y = x2 + 6x + 7
You must label, with coordinates, the points of intersection with the axes
and any turning points.
(3)
(Total 7 marks)

3 IGCSE (9-1) Maths topics new topics:

Completing the square
[Awards]
Q7. x2 − 8x = (x + p)2 + q for all values of x.
(a) Find the value of p and the value of q.

p =.................................................................

q =.................................................................
(2)
(b) Solve the equation 4(x2 − 8x) + 63 = 0
(3)
(Total 5 marks)

4 IGCSE (9-1) Maths topics new topics:

Completing the square
Examiner's Report

Q1.
This question was poorly answered. It was clear that only a small minority of candidates were well
practised in the technique of completing the square. Candidates who realised what was required
often went on to carry out this technique but then spoiled their responses by writing a = −4, b = 5.
Other candidates wrote (x + 4)2 +5 then a = 4, b = 5. This was clearly incorrect working and could
not be awarded the marks. "8" and "21" were commonly seen incorrect answers. Part (b) was
answered correctly by only a small minority of candidates with many of the more able candidates
failing to see the connection between the two parts of the question.

Q2. 
Students were equally successful in parts (a) and (b) though many did not gain full marks. Many
students did not realise the connection between parts (a) and (b) and even those who gained full
marks in part (a) often lost the mark in part (b). Likewise, students who were unable to gain full
marks in part (a), sometimes even scoring zero in part (a), then wrote in a fully correct coordinates
for their answer to part (b). In part (a) weaker students were often able to write (x − 4)2 or wrote
p = 4 to gain one mark and slightly more able students correct completed the square, writing
(x − 4)2 − 10 or equivalent but then gave the answer p = −4 with q = −10.

Q3. 
No Examiner's Report available for this question

Q4.
No Examiner's Report available for this question

Q5. 
This was a well answered question. Most students were successful in part (a). There were some who
could not give the turning point and the main error seen was again around the sign of the numbers
given.

Q6. 
Students were usually able to complete the square in part (a)(i) of this question. Of the students who
were able to do this, only about a half of them were able to use their answers to complete the next
part of the question. Many students started again and often made errors in solving the equation by
other means. All four marks in part (a) were awarded to about a third of students. When answering
part (b) of the question, students often failed to realise that their answers to part (a) could be used to
help them sketch the graph of the quadratic. Most, but by no means all, of the students gained some
credit for realising that they should sketch a U shaped parabola. Only a small minority of students
sketched an accurate representation of the function accompanied by full and clear labelling of the
points of intersection with the axes and of the turning point.

5 IGCSE (9-1) Maths topics new topics:

Completing the square
Q7.
This question was one of the least well answered on the paper. It appears that many candidates were
not used to completing the square or were unfamiliar with the way the question was presented.

This was perhaps a sign that they had not been exposed to sufficient level 3 type questions.
Candidates at this level should ensure that they can complete the square of a quadratic function as a
matter of routine.

Many candidates attempted to expand (x + p)2 + q but then did not know how to proceed from there.
Comparing coefficients or substituting two values for x to produce simultaneous equations in p and
q were possible but perhaps not preferable routes.

The equation in part (b) of the question could have been solved using part (a) but alternative
methods including expansion of the brackets followed by factorisation or using the quadratic
formula.

This part of the question exposed the inability of many candidates to identify a method to solve this
quadratic equation quickly and concisely. The best candidates usually used factorisation of
4x2 − 32x + 63 into (2x − 7)(2x − 9) to solve the equation. Some candidates went no further than
factorising the expression.

6 IGCSE (9-1) Maths topics new topics:

Completing the square
Mark Scheme

Q1. 

Q2. 

Q3. 

Mock Paper 1MA1: 2H

Questio Answer AO Mark Notes

n

(– 5, – 7) 1.3b M1 method to start to complete the square,

e.g. (x + 5)2

1.3b M1 (x + 5)2 – 7

7 IGCSE (9-1) Maths topics new topics:

Completing the square
Mock Paper 1MA1: 2H

Questio Answer AO Mark Notes

n

1.3b A1 cao (dep on method seen)

8 IGCSE (9-1) Maths topics new topics:

Completing the square
Q4. 

Q5. 

9 IGCSE (9-1) Maths topics new topics:

Completing the square
Q6. 

10 IGCSE (9-1) Maths topics new topics:

Completing the square
Q7.

11 IGCSE (9-1) Maths topics new topics:

Completing the square