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GR 11 Completing The Square Notes

The document provides a detailed explanation of the method 'completing the square' for solving quadratic equations, including step-by-step instructions and examples. It also introduces the quadratic formula as a shortcut for solving quadratics when completing the square is not specifically required. Additionally, it explains how to rewrite a quadratic in the form a(x - p)² + q to determine its minimum or maximum value.

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13 views3 pages

GR 11 Completing The Square Notes

The document provides a detailed explanation of the method 'completing the square' for solving quadratic equations, including step-by-step instructions and examples. It also introduces the quadratic formula as a shortcut for solving quadratics when completing the square is not specifically required. Additionally, it explains how to rewrite a quadratic in the form a(x - p)² + q to determine its minimum or maximum value.

Uploaded by

Anniefortune
Copyright
© © All Rights Reserved
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
Available Formats
Download as PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd
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GR 11 COMPLETING THE SQUARE

Completing the square to solve a quadratic equation:

Use only when specifically asked.


o Constant to right hand side
𝑎𝑥 2 + 𝑏𝑥 = −𝑐
o If the coefficient of 𝑥 2 ≠1 divide each term by the coefficient
𝑎 2 𝑏 𝑐
𝑥 + 𝑥=−
𝑎 𝑎 𝑎
𝑏 𝑐
𝑥2 + 𝑥 = −
𝑎 𝑎
o Complete the square by adding the following number to both the right hand side
1 2
and left hand side: (coefficient of 𝑥 × )
2
𝑏 𝑏 1 𝑐 𝑏 1
𝑥2 + 𝑥 + ( × )2 = − + ( × )2
𝑎 𝑎 2 𝑎 𝑎 2
2 2
𝑏 𝑏 𝑐 𝑏
𝑥2 + 𝑥 + 2 = − + 2
𝑎 4𝑎 𝑎 4𝑎
o Factorise the square on the left hand side and simplify the right hand side
𝑏 − 4𝑎𝑐 + 𝑏2 𝑏2 − 4𝑎𝑐
(𝑥 + )2 = =
2𝑎 4𝑎2 4𝑎2
o To solve for 𝑥: Square root of left hand side = ± Square root of right hand side
and simplify
2 2
√(𝑥 + 𝑏 ) = ±√𝑏 − 4𝑎𝑐
2𝑎 4𝑎2
𝑏 ±√𝑏2 − 4𝑎𝑐
𝑥 + 2𝑎 = 2𝑎
o Get 𝑥 alone on left hand side
−𝑏 ±√𝑏2 − 4𝑎𝑐
𝑥= 2𝑎

The quadratic formula

NBNBNB Completing the square of the standard form 𝑎𝑥 2 + 𝑏𝑥 + 𝑐 = 0 gives the


quadratic equation that is a short cut that can be used to solve a quadratic equation if
completing the square is not asked specifically.

−𝒃 ± √𝒃𝟐 − 𝟒𝒂𝒄
𝒙=
𝟐𝒂

© Annamarie Fortune
GR 11 COMPLETING THE SQUARE

Example: 𝟐𝒙𝟐 − 𝟖𝒙 + 𝟕 = 𝟎

Completing the square:


o Constant to right hand side
2𝑥 2 − 8𝑥 = −7
o If the coefficient of 𝑥 2 ≠1 divide each term by the coefficient
2 2 8 7
𝑥 − 𝑥=−
2 2 2
7
𝑥 2 − 4𝑥 = −
2
o Complete the square by adding the following number to both the right hand side
1 2
and left hand side: (coefficient of 𝑥 × )
2
1 7 1
𝑥 2 − 4𝑥 + (−4 × )2 = − + (−4 × )2
2 2 2
7
𝑥 2 − 4𝑥 + 4 = − + 4
2
o Factorise the square on the left hand side and simplify the right hand side
−7 + 8 1
(𝑥 − 2)2 = =
2 2
o To solve for 𝑥: Square root of left hand side = ± Square root of right hand side
and simplify

√(𝑥 − 2)2 = ±√12


±1
𝑥−2 =
√2
o Get 𝑥 alone on left hand side
±1 ±1 √2 ±√2
𝑥= +2= × + 2= +2 (if denominator is rasionalised)
√2 √2 √2 2

Quadratic formula
−𝑏 ±√𝑏2− 4𝑎𝑐
𝑥=
2𝑎

−(−8) ±√(−8)2− 4(2)(7)


𝑥 =
2(2)

8 ±√8 8 ±√8 8 ±2√2 ±√2


𝑥= = = = +2
4 4 4 2

© Annamarie Fortune
GR 11 COMPLETING THE SQUARE

Completing the square to write in the form 𝒂(𝒙 − 𝒑)𝟐 + 𝒒:


Used to determine minimum or maximum

Standard form: 𝒂𝒙𝟐 + 𝒃𝒙 + 𝒄

o If the coefficient of 𝑥 2 ≠1 take coefficient out as common factor


𝑏 𝑐
𝑎(𝑥 2 + 𝑥 + )
𝑎 𝑎
o Complete the square by adding and subtracting the following number:
1 2
(coefficient of 𝑥 × )
2

𝟐
𝒃 𝒃 𝟏 𝟐 𝑏 1 2 𝑐
𝑎[𝒙 + 𝒙 + ( × ) − ( × ) + ]
𝒂 𝒂 𝟐 𝑎 2 𝑎
o Factorise the square
𝒃 𝑏 1 2 𝑐
𝑎[(𝒙 + )𝟐 − ( × ) + ]
𝟐𝒂 𝑎 2 𝑎
o Multiply a in and simplify the constant term
𝑏 2 𝒃 𝟏 𝟐
𝑎(𝑥 + ) − 𝒂 ( × ) + 𝒄
2𝑎 𝒂 𝟐

Example: 𝟐𝒙𝟐 − 𝟖𝒙 + 𝟕

o If the coefficient of 𝑥 2 ≠1 take coefficient out as common factor


8 7
2(𝑥 2 − 𝑥 + )
2 2
o Complete the square by adding and subtracting the following number:
1 2
(coefficient of 𝑥 × )
2
𝟏 𝟐 1 2 7
2[𝒙𝟐 − 𝟒𝒙 + (−𝟒 × ) − (−4 × ) + ]
𝟐 2 2
7
2[𝒙𝟐 − 𝟒𝒙 + 𝟒 − 4 + ]
2
o Factorise the square and simplify the constant term
1
2 [ (𝒙 − 𝟐)𝟐 − ]
2
o Multiply a in
2(𝑥 − 2)2 − 1
2(𝑥 − 2)2 − 1
o I.e., 𝒂 = 𝟐, 𝒑 = 𝟐 (𝑵𝑩 𝒔𝒊𝒈𝒏 𝒄𝒉𝒂𝒏𝒈𝒆𝒔) 𝒂𝒏𝒅 𝒒 = −𝟏
o Minimum 𝒒 = −𝟏 because 𝒂 = 𝟐 > 𝟎

© Annamarie Fortune

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