Question

What number must you add to the polynomial below to complete the square?x²-8x

Answer 1

Given the polynomial :

`x^2-8x`

To complete the square, we will add:

`((b)/(2))^2`

where b is the coefficient of x

b = -8

So, we will add:

`((b)/(2))^2=(-(8)/(2))^2=(-4)^2=16`

And the function will be:

`x^2-8x+16=(x-4)^2`