The quadratic equation in its generic form is:
ax2 + bx + c
To complete squares we must add the following term:
(b / 2) ^ 2
The equation is:
ax2 + bx + c + (b / 2) ^ 2
We have the following equation:
x ^ 2 - 5x + k = 7
By completing squares we have:
x ^ 2 - 5x + (-5/2) ^ 2 = 7 + (-5/2) ^ 2
Rewriting:
x ^ 2 - 5x + 6.25 = 7 + 6.25
Answer:
A constant term should be used to complete the square is:
6.25