Final answer:
To solve a quadratic equation by completing the square, follow these steps: rewrite the equation, find the perfect square trinomial, add and subtract the perfect square trinomial, simplify the equation, and solve for x.
Step-by-step explanation:
To solve a quadratic equation by completing the square, you can follow these steps:
- First, rewrite the equation in the form ax^2 + bx + c = 0.
- Divide the coefficient of x by 2 and square the result to find the perfect square trinomial (b/2)^2.
- Add and subtract the perfect square trinomial to the equation.
- Factor the perfect square trinomial and simplify the equation.
- Solve for x by taking the square root of both sides of the equation.
For example, if you have the quadratic equation x^2 + 6x + 9 = 0, you can complete the square by adding and subtracting (3^2) to the equation, which becomes (x + 3)(x + 3) = 0. Then, taking the square root of both sides, you get x + 3 = 0, and solving for x gives x = -3.