How do you solve the equation 3x^2+6x=2x^2+3x-4 by completing the square?

1 Answer
Jul 10, 2017

x = -3/2 -sqrt(7)/2 \ i, -3/2 +sqrt(7)/2 \ i

Explanation:

We have:

3x^2+6x = 2x^2+3x-4

First let us collect terms on the LHS

3x^2 - 2x^2 + 6x - 3x -4 = 0
:. x^2 + 3x +4 = 0

Now we complete the square, by forming a term with half the "b" value; that is

:. (x + 3/2)^2 - (3/2)^2 +4 = 0
:. (x + 3/2)^2 - 9/4 +4 = 0

Which we can now re-arrange and solve;

:. (x + 3/2)^2 = -7/4

:. x + 3/2 = +-sqrt(7)/2 \ i

:. x = -3/2 +-sqrt(7)/2 \ i

Leading to the two complex conjugate solutions:

x = -3/2 -sqrt(7)/2 \ i, -3/2 +sqrt(7)/2 \ i

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