How do you solve using completing the square method x^2-6x-7=0x26x7=0?

1 Answer
May 3, 2016

The solutions are:
color(green)(x = 7x=7 , color(green)(x = -1x=1

Explanation:

x^2 - 6x - 7 =0x26x7=0

Completing the square :

x^2 - 6x = 7x26x=7

To write the Left Hand Side as a Perfect Square, we add 9 to both sides:

x^2 - 6x + color(blue)(9) = 7 + color(blue)(9x26x+9=7+9

x^2 - 2 * x * 3 + 3^2 = 16x22x3+32=16

Using the Identity color(blue)((a - b)^2 = a^2 - 2ab + b^2(ab)2=a22ab+b2, we get

(x- 3 )^2 = 16(x3)2=16

x - 3 = sqrt16x3=16 or x - 3 = -sqrt16x3=16

x - 3 = 4x3=4 or x - 3 = -4x3=4

x = 4 + 3 x=4+3 or x = -4 + 3 x=4+3

color(green)(x = 7x=7 , color(green)(x = -1x=1