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Solve the equation p²+ 8p + 13 = 0 by completing the square.

OPTION 1: p = -4 + √3
OPTION 2: p = -4 - √3
OPTION 3: p = -4 + √2
OPTION 4: p = -4 - √2

1 Answer

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Final answer:

To solve the quadratic equation by completing the square, you rearrange it to create a perfect square trinomial, then solve for the variable by taking the square root of both sides. For the equation p² + 8p + 13 = 0, the solutions are p = -4 + √3 and p = -4 - √3, which correspond to OPTION 1 and OPTION 2 respectively.

Step-by-step explanation:

Solving Quadratic Equations by Completing the Square

To solve the quadratic equation p² + 8p + 13 = 0 by completing the square, we must first arrange the equation in the form of (p + b/2a)² = -c/a + (b/2a)², which then allows us to find the value of p. Start by transferring the constant to the other side of the equation:

p² + 8p = -13

Next, add the square of half the coefficient of p (which is 4) to both sides:

(p + 4)² = 16 - 13

(p + 4)² = 3

Now take the square root of both sides, remembering to include both the positive and negative roots:

p + 4 = ±√3

Solve for p by subtracting 4 from both sides:

p = -4 + √3 or p = -4 - √3

Both options OPTION 1 and OPTION 2 are the correct solutions to this equation.

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