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)

Answered by Sol D. Maths tutor

2702 Views

See similar Maths GCSE tutors

Related Maths GCSE answers

All answers ▸

When would I use the quadratic formula?


Solve x² + x -12


How do you solve the simultaneous equations x^2+y=1 and -x+y=-1


Express 112 as a product of it's prime factors.


We're here to help

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