Question

Michelle wants to solve the following quadratic equation by completing the square. x2 -8x-7=0 Michelle will need to transform the equation x2 - 8x-7=0 into the form (x - p) = 9 Determine the values of pand q. Enter the value of each in the appropriate box. Enter an integer or fraction in lowest terms. Enter one value per box.

Answer 1

We want to solve the quadratic equation:

`x^2-8x-7=0`

by completing the square. For doing so, we will add a number to both sides for getting a square number at the left side. As the number at the side of the x is -8, when we divide by 2, we get:

`(8)/(2)=4`

We want to convert the number -7 to 16, so we will add 26 both sides:

`\begin{gathered} x^2-8x-7+23=23 \\ x^2-8x+16=23 \\ (x-4)^2=23 \end{gathered}`

And as we want to transform into the form:

`(x-p)^2=q`

This means that p=4 and q=23.