Question

how do you find the answer to this?
Complete the square for the equation: x2 + 2x - 3 = 0

Answer 1

well yeah its EASY to factor...but to complete the square....first...HALVE the x value..what is that?

Answer 2

we have x² + 2x - 3 = 0

so if we HALVE the x value (not the x² value) what do we have?

Answer 3

Oh ive got it now thanks!

Answer 4

Oh ive got it now thanks!

Answer 5

okay id you just wanted it factored....then yeah that's it....I'll write down the process of completing the square anyways....

we have x² + 2x - 3 = 0
add 3 to both sides

x² + 2x = 3

Halve the x value...2/2 = 1...then SQUARE THIS number....1² = 1

put this value where you see I've left the space....and also add it to the other side of the equation so

x² + 2x +1 = 4

make the left hand side a square form

(x+1)² = 4

take the square root of both sides

x+1 = √4

x + 1 = ±2

now just solve for x....x = ±2 - 1

x = 2-1 and -2-1
x = 1 and -3

That is the process...when factoring gets harder...this makes it easier

Answer 6

because as you can see...it leads to the same answer....(x+1) and (x-3)

Answer 7

yes i understand its just i figured it out on my paper before you asked me your question thanks anyway you were very helpful!

Answer 8

ahh okay....well then good job :)

Answer 9

thanks(:

Answer 10

i guess im really dumb at math

Answer 11

why do you say that? @Luis_Rivera you came to the correct answer! just you did it a different way then the question specified...still correct though