How do you solve using the completing the square method x^2+4x-1=0x2+4x1=0?

2 Answers
May 28, 2017

x=-2+-sqrt5x=2±5

Explanation:

"to "color(blue)"complete the square"to complete the square

add (1/2" coefficient of x-term")^2" to both sides"(12 coefficient of x-term)2 to both sides

"that is add " 1/2(4/2)^2=4" to both sides"that is add 12(42)2=4 to both sides

x^2+4x+color(red)(4)-1=0+color(red)(4)x2+4x+41=0+4

rArr(x+2)^2-1=4(x+2)21=4

"add 1 to both sides"add 1 to both sides

rArr(x+2)^2=5(x+2)2=5

color(blue)"take the square root of both sides"take the square root of both sides

rArrx+2=+-sqrt5larr" note plus or minus"x+2=±5 note plus or minus

rArrx=-2+-sqrt5x=2±5

May 28, 2017

x=-2+-sqrt5x=2±5

Explanation:

x^2+4x-1=0x2+4x1=0
x^2+4x+(4/2)^2-(4/2)^2-1=0x2+4x+(42)2(42)21=0
(x+2)^2-5=0(x+2)25=0
(x+2)^2=5(x+2)2=5
x=-2+-sqrt5x=2±5