How do you solve the equation x^2+4x+2=0x2+4x+2=0 by completing the square?

1 Answer
Jan 11, 2017

x = -2+-sqrt(2)x=2±2

Explanation:

The difference of squares identity can be written:

a_2-b^2 = (a-b)(a+b)a2b2=(ab)(a+b)

Complete the square then use this with a=(x+2)a=(x+2) and b=sqrt(2)b=2 as follows:

0 = x^2+4x+20=x2+4x+2

color(white)(0) = x^2+4x+4-20=x2+4x+42

color(white)(0) = (x+2)^2-(sqrt(2))^20=(x+2)2(2)2

color(white)(0) = ((x+2)-sqrt(2))((x+2)+sqrt(2))0=((x+2)2)((x+2)+2)

color(white)(0) = (x+2-sqrt(2))(x+2+sqrt(2))0=(x+22)(x+2+2)

Hence:

x = -2+-sqrt(2)x=2±2