Math 2

Completing the Square Explained

Name:
Date:

Goals:
To develop our skills in explaining mathematical processes.
To continue building our understanding of quadratic expressions.

1. Helen has given Michelle some practice problems from Math 2. Michelle completes the
problems but doesn’t explain her thinking! Help Helen understand what Michelle is doing
in each step of her work. Please annotate her work and explain what she is doing in
each step.

Convert this equation into vertex form by completing the square:

2
𝑥 + 8𝑥 + 3

Michelle’s Work What she did

1 (𝑥
2
+ 8𝑥) + 3

2 8
= 4
2

3 2
4 = 16

4 (𝑥
2
+ 8𝑥 + 16) + 3 − 16

5 (𝑥 + 4)
2
+ 3 − 16

6 (𝑥 + 4)
2
− 13

Why did Michelle subtract 16 in step 4?

2
Why is 𝑥 + 8𝑥 + 16 called a perfect square?
Math 2
Completing the Square Explained
2. Convert this equation into vertex form by completing the square:
2
𝑥 − 6𝑥 − 12

Michelle’s Work What she did

1 (𝑥
2
− 6𝑥) − 12

2 −6
=− 3
2

3 (-3) = 9
2

4 (𝑥
2
− 6𝑥 + 9) − 12 − 9

5 (𝑥 − 3)
2
− 12 − 9

6 (𝑥 − 3)
2
− 21

In step 4, why do we add 9 in the parenthesis but subtract it outside of the parenthesis?

What is the vertex for this parabola? Is it concave up or down?

Michelle tries to graph the parabola and produces this

graph. What mistake did Michelle make when she was
trying to graph this parabola?

Graph the correct parabola on a separate piece of graph

paper.
Math 2
Completing the Square Explained
3. Michelle’s last set of problems get a little more complex. Help Helen understand what
she did!
Convert this equation into vertex form and graph it:
2
3𝑥 + 18𝑥 − 20

Michelle’s Work What she did

1 2
3(𝑥 + 6𝑥) + 20

2 6
= 3
2

3 2
3 =9

4 2
3(𝑥 + 6𝑥 + 9) + 20 − 3 * 9

5 3(𝑥 + 3)
2
+ 20 − 27

6 3(𝑥 + 3)
2
−7

Why did Michelle subtract 3*9 in step 4 instead of just 9?

2
How does having a 3 as a coefficient of 𝑥 change the problem?
Math 2
Completing the Square Explained
4. Michelle tries one last one.
Convert the following to vertex form:
2
2𝑥 − 12𝑥 + 3

Michelle’s Work What she did

1 2
2(𝑥 − 6𝑥) + 3

2 6
= 3
2

3 2
3 =9

4 2
2(𝑥 − 6𝑥 + 9) + 3 − 9

5 2(𝑥 − 3)
2
+3−9

6 2(𝑥 − 3)
2
−6

Helen knows that Michelle made a mistake! Find the mistake and correct it.

Graph the correct parabola on your graph paper.

Math 2
Completing the Square Explained
5. Now try these problems on your own!
Convert this equation into vertex form by completing the square:
2
𝑥 − 2𝑥 + 3

6. Convert this equation into vertex form by completing the square:

2
2𝑥 + 24𝑥 + 3

7. Michelle’s process had 6 steps.

a. Which of these steps is the one that you think is the easiest to understand? Why?

b. Which one is the hardest? Why?

Our goals were:

To develop our skills in explaining mathematical processes.
To continue building our understanding of quadratic expressions.
Do you think you have accomplished these goals?