Algebra II : Completing the Square

Study concepts, example questions & explanations for Algebra II

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Example Questions

Example Question #51 : Completing The Square

Solve the following quadratic equation by completing the square:

Possible Answers:

Correct answer:

Explanation:

Start by moving the number to the right of the equation so that all the terms with  values are alone:

Now, you need to figure out what number to add to both sides. To do so, take the coefficient in front of the  term, divide it by , then square it:

Coefficient: 

Add this number to both sides of the equation:

Simplify the left side of the equation.

Now solve for .

, or

 

Example Question #52 : Completing The Square

Solve the quadratic equation by completing the square:

Possible Answers:

Correct answer:

Explanation:

Start by dividing the entire equation by the coefficient in front of , which is .

Then, move the number to the right of the equation so that all the terms with  values are alone:

Now, you need to figure out what number to add to both sides. To do so, take the coefficient in front of the  term, divide it by , then square it:

Coefficient: 

Add this number to both sides of the equation:

Simplify the left side of the equation.

Now solve for .

, or

Make sure to round to  places after the decimal.

Example Question #53 : Completing The Square

Solve the quadratic equation by completing the square:

Possible Answers:

Correct answer:

Explanation:

Start by moving the number to the right of the equation so that all the terms with  values are alone:

Now, you need to figure out what number to add to both sides. To do so, take the coefficient in front of the  term, divide it by , then square it:

Coefficient: 

Add this number to both sides of the equation:

Simplify the left side of the equation.

Now solve for .

, or

Make sure to round to  places after the decimal.

Example Question #54 : Completing The Square

Solve the quadratic equation by completing the square:

Possible Answers:

Correct answer:

Explanation:

Start by moving the number to the right of the equation so that all the terms with  values are alone:

Now, you need to figure out what number to add to both sides. To do so, take the coefficient in front of the  term, divide it by , then square it:

Coefficient: 

Add this number to both sides of the equation:

Simplify the left side of the equation.

Now solve for .

, or

Make sure to round to  places after the decimal.

Example Question #55 : Completing The Square

Solve the quadratic equation by completing the square: 

Possible Answers:

Correct answer:

Explanation:

Start by moving the number to the right of the equation so that all the terms with  values are alone:

Now, you need to figure out what number to add to both sides. To do so, take the coefficient in front of the  term, divide it by , then square it:

Coefficient: 

Add this number to both sides of the equation:

Simplify the left side of the equation.

Now solve for .

, or

Make sure to round to  places after the decimal.

Example Question #56 : Completing The Square

Solve the following quadratic equation by completing the square:

Possible Answers:

Correct answer:

Explanation:

Start by moving the number to the right of the equation so that all the terms with  values are alone:

Now, you need to figure out what number to add to both sides. To do so, take the coefficient in front of the  term, divide it by , then square it:

Coefficient: 

Add this number to both sides of the equation:

Simplify the left side of the equation.

Now solve for .

, or

Make sure to round to  places after the decimal.

Example Question #57 : Completing The Square

Which of the following is the same after completing the square?  

Possible Answers:

Correct answer:

Explanation:

Divide by three on both sides.

Add two on both sides.

To complete the square, we will need to divide the one-third coefficient by two, which is similar to multiplying by one half, square the quantity, and add the two values on both sides.

Simplify both sides.

Factor the left side, and combine the terms on the right.

The answer is:  

Example Question #58 : Completing The Square

Solve for  by completing the square.

Possible Answers:

Correct answer:

Explanation:

Start by adding  to both sides so that the terms with the  are together on the left side of the equation.

Now, look at the coefficient of the -term. To complete the square, divide this coefficient by , then square the result. Add this term to both sides of the equation.

Rewrite the left side of the equation in the squared form.

Take the square root of both sides.

Now solve for .

Round to two places after the decimal.

 

Example Question #59 : Completing The Square

Solve for  by completing the square.

Possible Answers:

Correct answer:

Explanation:

Start by subtracting  from both sides so that the terms with the  are together on the left side of the equation.

Now, look at the coefficient of the -term. To complete the square, divide this coefficient by , then square the result. Add this term to both sides of the equation.

Rewrite the left side of the equation in the squared form.

Take the square root of both sides.

Now solve for .

Round to two places after the decimal.

 

Example Question #51 : Completing The Square

Solve for  by completing the square.

Possible Answers:

Correct answer:

Explanation:

Start by subtracting  from both sides so that the terms with the  are together on the left side of the equation.

Now, look at the coefficient of the -term. To complete the square, divide this coefficient by , then square the result. Add this term to both sides of the equation.

Rewrite the left side of the equation in the squared form.

Take the square root of both sides.

Now solve for .

Round to two places after the decimal.

 

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