Use completing the square to find the minimum of y = x^2 - 4x + 8

Remember completing the square gives a result of the form (x+q)2 + p where q and p are numbers
Also q is always half of the x term, which in this case is -4, as such q = -2
Substituting this in, we get (x-2)2 which expands to x2 - 4x + 4. To make this equal to our original equation, we need to add 4, getting us y = (x-2)2 + 4.
As a rule, the minimum point is always x = -q, y = p. Therefore our answer is (2,4)

SD

Related Maths GCSE answers

All answers ▸

The graph of y = x^2 + 4x - 3 (Graph A) is translated by the vector (3 | 2), find the equation of the new graph (Graph B)


If x>2y and 2x<5y, what is the range of x when y=6?


John ran a 450m race (2sf) in a time of 62 seconds (nearest second). Calculate the difference between his maximum and minimum average speed. (3sf)


Line L1 passes through points (4,6) and (12,2). Line L2 passes through the origin and has gradient -3. The two lines intersect at point P. Find the co-ordinates of P.