How do you solve by completing the square x^2+2x-5=0x2+2x5=0?

1 Answer
Jun 30, 2015

Force a perfect square trinomial on the left side. Take the square root of both sides. Solve for xx, which will have two values.

Explanation:

Completing the square involves forcing a perfect square trinomial on the left side of the equation, then solving for xx.

The form for a perfect square is a^2+2ab+b^2=(a+b)^2a2+2ab+b2=(a+b)2.

x^2+2x-5=0x2+2x5=0.

Add 55 to both sides of the equation.

x^2+2x=5x2+2x=5

Divide the coefficient of the xx value by 22, then square the result.

2/2=1;22=1; 1^2=112=1

Add the result to both sides.

x^2+2x+1=5+1x2+2x+1=5+1 =

x^2+2x+1=6x2+2x+1=6

The left side is now a perfect square trinomial.

x^2+2x+1=(x+1)^2x2+2x+1=(x+1)2

(x+1)^2=6(x+1)2=6

Take the square root on both sides.

x+1=+-sqrt6x+1=±6

Subtract 11 from both sides.

x=sqrt6-1x=61

x=-sqrt6-1x=61