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Completing the Square
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Graphing Exercises
Graph y = a[(x-h)^2 +k]
Factoring Quadratics
Difference of Two Squares
Completing the Square
Convert to Standard Form (Arith)
Quadratic Formula
Finding Coefficients
Applications
Quadratics Summary
Exercises
Quadratics Overview Page

Section Entrance

Links
More Links
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Two Treatments of Geometry
BIG Table of Contents
conic sections briefly

Français : 20 pages Algèbre  
  Définition d'une  variable  
La raison basée sur les 
règles et modelés

Completing the Square

Lessons on Quadratics: [Summary - the Program] Graphing Exercises ] Graph y = a[(x-h)^2 +k] ] Factoring Quadratics ] Difference of Two Squares ] [ Completing the Square ] Convert to Standard Form (Arith) ] Quadratic Formula ] Finding Coefficients ] Applications ] Quadratics Summary ] Exercises ] Quadratics Overview Page ]


Initial Step

Geometric Demonstration of  Identity 

    (x+Q)2 = x2+2Qx + Q2.

valid for x and Q positive follows. Draw a square with sides of length x+Q and then divide the sides into sub-segments of length x and Q respectively as indicated below.

x

+

Q

x2

Qx

Qx

Q2

x     +    Q

Here the equality of two different ways to calculate area of square yields the require identity.

          (x+Q)2 = x2+2Qx + Q2.

Column Multiplication Demonstration

x + Q
x  + Q            (multiply)
x2 + Qx
        Qx + Q(add)
x2+2Qx + Q2

The calculation here allows x and Q to be real numbers
without the previous restriction that they be positive.

The identify (x+Q)2 = x2+2Qx + Q2 also follows in general from the earlier identity

(x+A)(x+B)  = x2+(A+B)x + AB

which we established earlier if we take A = B = Q in it.

2. Completing the square identity:

x2+2Qx +P= (x+Q)2 - Q2  + P

is consequence of the identity (x+Q)2 = x2+2Qx + Q2

Thus The equality of two difference ways
to calculate area of square gives.

          (x+Q)2 = x2+2Qx + Q2.
                 Q2 = Q2                  (subtract)
 
(x+Q)2 - Q2  = x2+2Qx

Variation:

x2-2Qx +P  = (x-Q)2 - Q2  + P

is consequence of the identity (x-Q)2 = x2 -2Qx + Q2

3. Examples

Example I

x2+6x + 5 =

=  x2+2(3)x + 5  take Q = 3
= (x+3)2 - 32 + 5
= (x+3)2 - 4

Example II

x2-8x + 25 =

=  x2+2(-4)x + 25  take Q = -4
= (x+-4)2 - 42 + 25
= (x+3)2 + 9
> 9 > 0

Example III

x2-8x + 12 =

=  x2+2(-4)x + 12  take Q = -4
= (x+-4)2 - 42 + 12
= (x-4)2 - 4

Example IV

x2-10x + 8 =

=  x2+2(-5)x + 8  take Q = -5
= (x+-5)2 - 52 + 8
= (x-5)2 - 17


Note: Completing the square may lead to a difference of squares or a sum of squares. In the first case, how to factor the difference of squares leads to the factorization of quadratic expressions and to the solution of quadratic equations. See below.

Lessons on Quadratics: Graphing Exercises ] Graph y = a[(x-h)^2 +k] ] Factoring Quadratics ] Difference of Two Squares ] [ Completing the Square ] Convert to Standard Form (Arith) ] Quadratic Formula ] Finding Coefficients ] Applications ] Quadratics Summary ] Exercises ] Quadratics Overview Page ]

 

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