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A. Solve for x by completing the square: x^2 + 2x = 8.

b. Solve for p by completing the square: 7p^2 − 12p + 4 = 0.

User Yanay
by
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1 Answer

3 votes

Answer: a) x = 2 and -4 b) p = 4.12 and -2.4

Explanation:

a) Using the completing the square me those to solve x²+2x = 8

firstly, we divide the equation by the coefficient of x² to give

x²+2x=8

Secondly, we need to get the constant of the equation x²+2x by adding the value gotten from dividing coefficient of x by 2 and squaring it i.e(2/2)² to give 1 as the constant

The equation becomes

x²+2x+1-1= 8

Note that 1 was subtracted just to ensure the question isn't altered

(x²+2x+1)-1 = 8

(x+1)(x+1)-1= 8

(x+1)(x+1)= 8+1

(x+1)² = 9

Squaring both sides of the equation

√(x+1)² = +/-√9

x+1 = +/-3

x = +3-1 = 2

x = -3-1 = -4

therefore x = 2 and -4

b) Using the same funny concept to solve the equation

7p² − 12p + 4 = 0

7p²-12p = -4

Dividing by coefficient of p²

p²-12/7p= -4/7

Completing the equation at the right hand side i.e p²-12/7p

We will add the square of half of the coefficient of p to both sides of the given equation (-12/7×1/2)² = (-12/14)²

= 144/196

p²-12/7p+144/196 = -4+144/196

(p-12/14)² = 640/196

Squaring both sides

√(p-12/14)² = +/-√640/196

p-12/14 = +/-3.26

p = +3.26+12/14 = 4.12

and p = -3.26+12/14 = -2.4

User Jon Davis
by
6.2k points
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