How do you solve 5x2+20x120=0 using completing the square?

1 Answer
Jul 3, 2015

Logical first step would be to divide everything by 5

Explanation:

x2+4x24=0

Since (x+a)2=x2+2ax+a2
We take half of the coefficient of x, and square it:
x2+4x+4=(x+2)2

We have to balance the 4 we used with the 24
So the equation becomes:
x2+4x+428=0 add 28:
(x+2)2=28

So x+2=28=27x=2+27
Or x+2=28=27x=227

(sometimes written as x1,2=2±27)