Complete the square of the equation below.

Q. Complete the square : x2 + 4x - 12A. Completing the square is putting the given equation into the form (x + a) 2 + bFirst, a = the coefficient of x 2so in this case a = 4 = 2 Then to find b we calculate how to get to our desired equation from the expansion of (x + a)2so in our example we calculate (x + 2)2= (x + 2) (x + 2) = x2 + 4x + 4but we want x2 + 4x - 12so how do we get from 4 to -12?-12- 4 = -16 = bNow we have found both answers, don’t forget to sub them back into the desired format to get us that last mark!!!ANS = (x + 2)2 -16

VY
Answered by Victoria Y. Maths tutor

2839 Views

See similar Maths GCSE tutors

Related Maths GCSE answers

All answers ▸

What is the gradient of the line passing through the point (1,2) and (5,5)? What is the equation of this line? What is the equation of the line perpendicular to this line that passes through the origin (0,0)?


How do I calculate negative powers?


Find the solutions to the following equation x^2 - 5*x + 6 = 0


Solve the simultaneous equations, x+y = 16, 5x -2y = 17


We're here to help

contact us iconContact ustelephone icon+44 (0) 203 773 6020
Facebook logoInstagram logoLinkedIn logo

MyTutor is part of the IXL family of brands:

© 2025 by IXL Learning