I am trying to get the following function in vertex form I need steps to get me there, can you help? The function is y=x^2+14x+55

Question

anonymous · Answer

can you go through the whole process of completing the square? I have other problems like this and it will be easier for me to get those so i can use this one as an example

campbell_st · Answer

ok.. so the vertex form of a parabola, with a vertex at ( h, k) is 

$$y = ( x -h)^2 + k$$


so in your question you need to form a perfect square and have  constant term 

so if you look at your equation 

$$y = x^2 + 14x + 55$$

you will use 

$$x^2 + 14x $$

to form the perfect square... 

does that make sense..?

anonymous · Answer

yeah thats good thank you

campbell_st · Answer

ok... so to complete the square we need to find half of the coefficient of the middle term

in general you have

$$y = ax^2 + bx + c$$

so start by finding b/2

in your question b = 14 

so find half of it..

anonymous · Answer

well ultimately i am trying to find the vertex of a parabola so i think the equation is (y=a(x-k)^2+c where a =positive or negative 1 right? thats the equation i need more help with