What does it mean to complete the square?
e use "completing the square" to help us solve for x but completing the square is not the process of solving for x. ﾠWhat are we doing when we complete the square--why is it called that?

Question

What does it mean to complete the square?
e use "completing the square" to help us solve for x but completing the square is not the process of solving for x. ﾠWhat are we doing when we complete the square--why is it called that?

anonymous · Answer

Essentially you are adding and subtracting by the same number so that you can factor a perfect square. So for example if I have: $$x^2+6x+13$$
I can add and subtract 4 so that it becomes:$$x^2+6x+13 + 4 - 4$$
so that I have:$$x^2+6x+9 +4 = (x+3)^2 +4$$