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Solve x2 - 4x - 7 = 0 by completing the square. What are the solutions?

O 12+ V11,2 - V11)
01-2+ V11.-2 - V11]
012+.15.2+7)

User Rchacko
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1 Answer

3 votes

Answer:

x= 2 + √11 or x = 2 −√11

Explanation:

I am going to complete the square step-by-step.

x² − 4x − 7=0

Step 1: Add 7 to both sides.

x² − 4x − 7+ 7 = 0 + 7

x² − 4x = 7

Step 2: The coefficient of -4x is -4. Let b = -4.

Then we need to add (b/2)² = 4 to both sides to complete the square.

Add 4 to both sides.

x² − 4x + 4 = 7 + 4

x² − 4x + 4 = 11

Step 3: Factor left side.

(x−2)² = 11

Step 4: Take square root.

x − 2 = ±√11

Step 5: Add 2 to both sides.

x − 2 + 2 = 2 ±√11

x = 2 ±√11

x= 2 + √11 or x = 2 −√11

User Hamza Yerlikaya
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