How do you solve 2x^2 – 28x + 84 = 0 using completing the square?

1 Answer
Jul 3, 2015

Logical first step is dividing everything by 2

Explanation:

->x^2-14x+42=0

Take half the x-coefficient and square that:
x^2-14x+(-7)^2=x^2-14x+49=(x-7)^2

If we write the original 42=49-7:
->(x-7)^2-7=0->(x-7)^2=7

So: x-7=sqrt7->x=7+sqrt7
Or: x-7=-sqrt7->x=7-sqrt7

Often written as x_(1,2)=7+-sqrt7