Question

xSquared - 2x -13 = 0 using the india method for solving quadratic equations

Answer 1

its a method that uses complete the square

start by adding 13 to both sides of the equation.

\[x^2 - 2x = 13\]

the coefficient of x^2 is 1 so multiply every term in the quadratic by

4 times the coefficient of x^2

in your question its 4 x 1 = 4 so multiply every term by 4

gives

\[4x^2 - 8x = 52\]

now go back to the original equation and square the coefficient of x

\[(-2)^2 = 4\]

now add this to both sides of the equation

and you get

\[4x^2 - 8x + 4 = 52 + 4\]

which means you have

\[4x^2 - 8x + 4 = 56\]

the left hand side is a perfect square

\[(2x - 2)^2 = 56\]

you should be able to find the solution from here.

here is a link with notes and an example

http://www.algebra.com/algebra/homework/quadratic/THEO-2011-08-28-02.lesson