1. Completing the Square
Ex. x2 + 4x – 5 = 0
Steps:
1) Move the constant to the right side
of the equation to isolate the x’s.
2) Complete the trinomial by taking ½
of the x-value and squaring it.
3) Balance the equation by adding the new
value to the other side of the equation.
4) Simplify the equation and write the
trinomials as a single bracket squared.
5) Take the square root of each side and
solve for x to find the roots.
Ex. 3x2 + 12x + 16 = 0
Steps:
1) Move the constant to the right side
of the equation to isolate the x’s.
2) Common factor the x’s and write the
remaining x values in brackets.
3) Complete the trinomial by taking ½
of the x-value and squaring it.
4) Balance the equation by adding the new
value to the other side of the equation.
5) Simplify the equation and write the
trinomials as a single bracket squared.
6) Take the square root of each side and
solve for x to find the roots.