What are steps for completing the square?

Question

anonymous · Answer

what

anonymous · Answer

square root?

homeworksucks · Answer

$$1. ax ^{2}+bx=c$$
Step 2- take b, divide it by 2, and square that, and add it to both sides of the equation.

homeworksucks · Answer

$$ax ^{2}+bx+(\frac{ b }{ 2 })^{2}=c+(\frac{ b }{ 2 })^{2}$$

homeworksucks · Answer

then take the square root of both sides, (ignore that little drawing please) and solve from there

homeworksucks · Answer

You should have a nice equation by now and be able to figure out the two solutions.

anonymous · Answer

My equation is 3x^2-4x-8=0

homeworksucks · Answer

ok, so you would have $$3x ^{2}-4x=8$$ first

anonymous · Answer

I already have the answer and it all worked out I just need it explained a little more

homeworksucks · Answer

and then $$3x ^{2}-4x+(\frac{ 4 }{ 2})^{2}=8+(\frac{ 4 }{ 2})^{2}$$

homeworksucks · Answer

we divide by 2, because in a perfect square trinomial, its a^2+2ab+b^2, and to find ab, you would divide by 2, and then square, to ensure that everything works out cleanly on both sides when you square root

homeworksucks · Answer

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