Question

x^2 - 6x - 7 in vertex form

Answer 1

complete the square

Answer 2

Hello @attababe33 and Welcome to OpenStudy! :)

to make it into vertex form, you need to complete the square
that means making the equation look something like
x^2 - 6x + 9 to get it equal to something like (x - 3)^2
so what would you add to your given equation to make it look like x^2 - 6x + 9 ? :)

Answer 3

2

Answer 4

mmm not quite @attababe33 because you have a -7 there
what would you have to add to -7 to get +9 ? :)

Answer 5

oh 16 ? o:

Answer 6

yes! :)
good, but just adding 16 would unbalance things
so we have to subtract a 16 too
x^2 - 6x - 7 + 16 - 16
= x^2 - 6x + 9 - 16
= (x^2 - 6x + 9) - 16

now turn the (x^2 - 6x + 9) into a (x - 3)^2
what would you get overall? :)

Answer 7

@attababe33 ? :)

Answer 8

I have no idea :( its hard to understand

Answer 9

sorry, I'll try to explain it better
what part do you not understand?

Answer 10

are you asking me to put it like (x-3)^2 - 16?

Answer 11

yes! exactly! :D

Answer 12

what would i have to do to find the answer?

Answer 13

well, that would depend on the vertex form that your teacher wants
there is y = (x-h)^2 + k
or y - k = (x-h)^2
both are considered "vertex form"

Answer 14

y= (x-h)^2 + k (: do I just plug it in?

Answer 15

well you've already got "(x-3)^2 - 16" ;)
y = (x-3)^2 - 16 would be your answer

Answer 16

I feel really dumb. I forgot how to do all of it, thank you so much! :D

Answer 17

hehe I'm glad I could help :D