What number should be added to both sides of the equation to complete the square?

x2 – 10x = 7

Question

What number should be added to both sides of the equation to complete the square?

x2 – 10x = 7

Extrinix · Answer

so let's solve this, 
$x^2-10x=7$
so first off we need to get a total value of x, so square $x^2$ and $7$
$\sqrt{7} \approx 2.65$
$x-10x=2.65$   combine like terms
$-9x=2.65$   divide and youll have your answer.

carmelle · Answer

@extrinix wrote:

so let's solve this, $x^2-10x=7$ so first off we need to get a total value of x, so square $x^2$ and $7$ $\sqrt{7} \approx 2.65$ $x-10x=2.65$ combine like terms $-9x=2.65$ divide and youll have your answer.

That is incorrect, we are completing the square, not solving for x. sorry

carmelle · Answer

To start off, we have to divide the coefficient of the x term (which is 10) by 2.

When we do that, we get 5.

Next, we square 5.

`5 x 5 = 25`

Now when we plug 25 in to our equation we have: `x^2 + 10x + 25 = 7`

But, we must remember, anything we do on one side of an equation, we must do to the other side. So, we add 25 on the other side.

Now we have: `x^2 + 10x + 25 = 7 + 25`

Since the question asked `“What number should be added to both sides”`, we can conclude, that `we add 25 to both sides`. Hope that helps!! :)