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Completing the Square

Steps

Example 2

Solve 2p2 + 20 = -6p

Step 1. Be sure the leading coefficient is one.

The equation in standard form is: CompletingEx2-1 .The leading coefficient is 2.

Divide all terms by 2 to get the equation: CompletingEx2-2

Step 2. Move the constant term to the other side of the equation.

CompletingEx2-3

Step 3. Find the correct c term to create a perfect square trinomial.

CompletingEx2-4

Step 4. Factor and simplify.

CompletingEx2-5

Step 5. Take the square root of both sides and simplify.