Final answer:
To solve the equation x² + 7x - 11 = 0 using the completing the square method, we need to transform it into a perfect square trinomial. We can then solve for x by factoring the trinomial.
Step-by-step explanation:
To solve the equation x² + 7x - 11 = 0 using the completing the square method, we want to transform the left side of the equation into a perfect square. Here's how:
- First, move the constant term (-11) to the right side by adding 11 to both sides of the equation.
- Then, rewrite the middle term (7x) as the product of its coefficient (7) and half of it, squared (7/2)². This will allow us to create a perfect square trinomial.
- Next, add the result from step 2 to both sides of the equation.
- Finally, factorize the perfect square trinomial and solve for x.
The resulting equation will be in the form (x + p)² = q, where p and q are constants. By taking the square root of both sides, we can find the values for x.