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3 votes
What value of p will make the expression below a perfect square? x^2 - x + P

2 Answers

4 votes

Answer:

p =
(1)/(4)

Explanation:

To make a perfect square

add ( half the coefficient of the x- term )² to x² - x, that is

x² + 2(-
(1)/(2) )x +
(1)/(4) with p =
(1)/(4) , thus

x² - x = (x -
(1)/(2) )² +
\frac{1}4}

User Tom Frost
by
5.9k points
4 votes

Answer:

x^2 - x + 1/4

Explanation:

To complete the square

x^2 - x + P

Take the coefficient of x

-1

Divide by 2

-1/2

Then square it

(-1/2)^2

1/4

Add this to complete the square

x^2 - x + 1/4

User Slinky
by
5.4k points