How do you solve using the completing the square method m^2 - 10m = 3m210m=3?

1 Answer
Apr 26, 2017

m = 10.29" or "m = 0.29m=10.29 or m=0.29

Explanation:

You would like to change the given equation into the form

(x +b)^2 = c(x+b)2=c so that you can find the square roots and solve.

m^2color(blue)(-10)m =3m210m=3

Add on color(blue)((b/2)^2)(b2)2 to both sides: color(blue)(((-10)/2)^2 = 25)(102)2=25

m^2 -10 mcolor(blue)(+25) = 3 color(blue)(+25)m210m+25=3+25

color(white)(....)(m-5)^2" " = 28

color(white)(.............)m - 5 = +-sqrt28

color(white)(....................)m = 5+-sqrt28

m = 10.29" or "m = 0.29