Question

Write x2 - 8x + 13 = 0 in the form (x - a)2 = b, where a and b are integers.

a.)(x - 4)2 = 3

b.) (x - 3)2 = 2

c.)(x - 2)2 = 1

d.) (x - 1)2 = 4

Answer 1

so you need to complete the square ,

divide the co-efficient of 'x' by 2, what do u get ?

Answer 2

completing the square
for example
x^2 - 6x + 6 = 0
you know that x^2 - 6x + 9 = (x-3)^2
then what would you need to do to x^2 - 6x + 6
in order to get it like x^2 - 6x + 9 to factor it?
x^2 - 6x + 6 + 3 - 3 right? :P
then x^2 - 6x + 9 - 3 = 0
so (x - 3)^2 - 3 = 0
so (x - 3)^2 = 3

sorry for the messiness :P but that's the idea.

Answer 3

so it's 3?

Answer 4

huh?

Answer 5

what 3 ?

Answer 6

lol meant b*

Answer 7

not quite, I was giving an example.
look at how I did it and try to apply it to your question :P

so how to you get from x^2 - 8x + 13 to look like x^2 - 8x + 16 ?

Answer 8

did you solve it and got b =3 ?

Answer 9

yeah

Answer 10

not doing it right i think

Answer 11

how did you solve it ?
because b= 3 is correct :)

Answer 12

wouldnt it be A that's what im thinking

Answer 13

yes, its A.
your thought iscorrect :)

Answer 14

thanks :)

Answer 15

welcome ^_^