How do you solve using the completing the square method x2+12x+20=0?

1 Answer
Mar 27, 2016

For an in depth explanation of method see
http://socratic.org/s/at7MQHg2

x1.101 x10.899

Explanation:

Using Shortcuts

Given: y=x2+12x+12

Let k be the error adjustment constant

y=x2+12x+12+k

Step 1: y=(x2+12x)+12+k

Step 2: y=(x+12x)2+12+k

Step 3: use (12)×(12)=6

y=(x+6)2+12+k

Step 4: (+6)2+k=0

k=36

y=(x+6)2+1236

y=(x+6)224

'~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

At y=0; x=±246

x1.101 x10.899

Notice that plots for both equations match
Tony B