How do you solve x218x+74=0 by completing the square?

1 Answer
Jun 13, 2016

x=9±7

Explanation:

Complete the square and use the difference of squares identity:

a2b2=(ab)(a+b)

with a=(x9) and b=7 as follows:

0=x218x+74

=x218x+817

=(x9)2(7)2

=((x9)7)((x9)+7)

=(x97)(x9+7)

Hence the zeros are:

x=9±7