Question

What would need to be added to both sides in order to complete the square in: 3x² + 24x + 18 = 33?

A) 3
B) 6
C) 15
D) 12

Answer 1

To complete the square in the equation 3x² + 24x + 18 = 33, you need to add 144 to both sides of the equation.

Step-by-step explanation:

To complete the square in the equation 3x² + 24x + 18 = 33, we need to add the same value to both sides of the equation. The value needed can be found by taking half of the coefficient of x, squaring it, and then adding it to both sides. In this case, the coefficient of x is 24, so half of it is 12. Squaring 12 gives us 144. Therefore, to complete the square, we need to add 144 to both sides of the equation.

Adding 144 to both sides of the equation, we get:

3x² + 24x + 18 + 144 = 33 + 144

Simplifying:

3x² + 24x + 162 = 177