Final answer:
To solve the quadratic equation x^2 - 8x = 9 by completing the square, follow these steps. The solutions are x = 9 or x = -1.
Step-by-step explanation:
To solve the quadratic equation x^2 - 8x = 9 by completing the square, follow these steps:
- Move the constant term to the right side of the equation: x^2 - 8x - 9 = 0.
- Add the square of half the coefficient of x to both sides of the equation to complete the square: x^2 - 8x + 16 = 9 + 16.
- Simplify: (x - 4)^2 = 25.
- Take the square root of both sides: x - 4 = ±√25.
- Solve for x: x - 4 = ±5.
- Two possible solutions: x = 4 + 5 or x = 4 - 5.
So the solutions to the quadratic equation are x = 9 or x = -1.