completing the square

step 1: get equation into standard form (ax^2+ bx= c)

• a=1 if possible

step 2: add (b/2)^2 to both sides of the equation

step 3: factor the trinomial

step 4: square root (√ ) both sides

step 5: solve!

@@x^2+2x= 6@@

• (2/2)^2= 1^2= 1
• x^2+2x+1=6+1
• x^2+2x+1= 7
• (x+1)^2= 7
• √((x+1)^2) =√7
• x+1= ±√7
• x=–1±√7