Question

how do you know when to use completing the square or quadratic formula?

Answer 1

The ones you get for real -> quadratic formula
Made up examples in homeworks and tests -> either

Answer 2

what?

Answer 3

what what?

Answer 4

... im asking when do we use quadratic formula and when do we complete the square

Answer 5

And I answered you

Answer 6

made of examples of hw?

Answer 7

That's not even English...

Answer 8

made up

Answer 9

Do you not understand my answer?

Answer 10

no. i want to know when i use it and you answered me with saying you use it in made up hw questions. .. 0.o

Answer 11

Correct, in real life quadratic equations, the numbers will be complicated and so it is easier to use the quadratic formula (or a computer).
For simple made up problems (schoolwork, homework, tests) they always make the numbers easy so you can use either method to solve the quadratic.
OK?

Answer 12

you left me more confused.. but thanks though

Answer 13

What is confusing you?

Answer 14

well for example
v^2 -2tv = 2c how do you know right away that you simplify here using completing the square? how do you like know when to use it by looking at it.

Answer 15

Well, for a start, the coefficient of v^2 is 1 and the coefficient of v is even so that would suggest completing the square (but you can do it just as quick with the quadratic formula after you had some practice).

Answer 16

oh i see okay i understand now thank you for being patient with me. but that first answer sort of threw me off. but yea i got it

Answer 17

ur welcome:-)