What is the first step in solving x^2 + 2x + 3 = 0 by completing the square? I think its divide both sides by 2 am I right or wrong?

Question

amistre64 · Answer

you want to divide off any leading coefficient .... since the leading coeff is 1, then dividing by 2 is not going to help us out much

anonymous · Answer

factoring to the left side then?

amistre64 · Answer

yeah, if we want to divide off anything as a first step, we would do so by the leading coefficient.

the next step would be mathing over the constant term, these 2 steps are interchangeable so which you do first is immaterial

anonymous · Answer

you were wrong it was Subtract 3 from each side of the equation.

amistre64 · Answer

how was i wrong?  i never said you need to subtract 3 ....