How do you complete the square?

You start off with a formula in the form y = x2 + bx. The first step is to add the square of half of the coefficient of x: (b/2)2. This allows us to rearrange the formula into (x+ b/2)2 . However, our formula is not equal to what we started with since we added (b/2)2 so we have to subtract it from the end. If the formula you start with has a constant (a term without the variable x) you ignore it in order to rearrange the x2 +bx part and then add it back on at the end as it will combine with the (b/2)2 term we subtracted.

Answered by Jamie M. Maths tutor

2428 Views

See similar Maths GCSE tutors

Related Maths GCSE answers

All answers ▸

Jessica buys 10kg of chocolate for £20. She divides them into 500g bags which she sells for £1.30 each. Given that Jessica sells all her chocolate, what is her percentage profit?


How should I approach my GCSE maths paper?


Solve x^2 - x - 12


In 2014, Donald's weekly pay was $640. In 2015, Donald's weekly pay was $668,80. Work out the percentage increase in Donald's pay between 2014 and 2015.


We're here to help

contact us iconContact usWhatsapp logoMessage us on Whatsapptelephone icon+44 (0) 203 773 6020
Facebook logoInstagram logoLinkedIn logo

© MyTutorWeb Ltd 2013–2025

Terms & Conditions|Privacy Policy
Cookie Preferences