Discussion
1. Put brackets around the first two terms
y = (-x^2 + 6x) + 5
2. Take out the common factor of -1
y = -(x^2 - 6x) + 5
3. Inside the brackets, take 1/2 of - 6 and square it
y = -(x^2 - 6x + ( - 6 / 2)^2 ) + 5
y = -(x^2 - 6x + (- 3)^2 ) ) + 5
y = -(x^2 - 6x + 9 ) + 5
Note: Step 3 is very long. Make sure you work your way through it
4. You have added 9 inside the brackets. It is actually - 9. So add 9 outside to balance the equation out. This is the key step. Make sure you understand it.
y = - (x^2 - 6x + 9) + 5 + 9
5. Express the brackets as a square.
y = - (x + 3)^2 + 14
Discussion
The equation is now in vertex form. The minus tells you that the equation is a maximum. The maximum is located at ( - 3, 14 )
A graph follows to show the results.