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Hello! When using compelting the square, arent you just technically putting the standard form equation you have into vertex form?

User Alec Moore
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Answer:

Hello! Yes, when completing the square, you are essentially transforming a quadratic equation from standard form to vertex form. The vertex form of a quadratic equation is given by:

y = a(x - h)^2 + k

where (h, k) represents the vertex of the parabola and 'a' is a constant that determines the shape and direction of the parabola.

To convert a quadratic equation from standard form (ax^2 + bx + c) to vertex form, we follow these steps:

1. Divide both sides of the equation by 'a' to make the coefficient of x^2 equal to 1.

2. Move the constant term (c/a) to the right-hand side of the equation.

3. Complete the square by adding and subtracting (b/2a)^2 on the left-hand side of the equation.

4. Factor the left-hand side of the equation as a perfect square trinomial.

5. Write the equation in vertex form by identifying the values of 'a', 'h', and 'k'.

User Lucas Meine
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That sounds right…you have to figure out how they complete each other by dividing by 2 right?
User Joshua Hart
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