How do you solve the equation x^2+4x+2=0x2+4x+2=0 by completing the square?
1 Answer
Jan 11, 2017
Explanation:
The difference of squares identity can be written:
a_2-b^2 = (a-b)(a+b)a2−b2=(a−b)(a+b)
Complete the square then use this with
0 = x^2+4x+20=x2+4x+2
color(white)(0) = x^2+4x+4-20=x2+4x+4−2
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+2−√2)(x+2+√2)
Hence:
x = -2+-sqrt(2)x=−2±√2