Question

What must be added to both sides to complete the square in x² — 8x + 7 = 10

Answer 1

16

Explanation:

Given the expression

x² — 8x + 7 = 10

To complete the square we need to add the half of the square of coefficient of x to both sides to complete the expression.

The coefficient of x is -8

Half of 8 = 1/2(-8) = -4

The square of 4 = (-4)^2 = 16

Hence the value that must be added to both sides to complete the square is 16