Completing the square is pretty easy
when the coefficient on the
is one...When it isn't,
things get a little sticky.
Let's do this guy:
STEP 1:
Like before...
STEP 2:
Identify the trouble-maker:
Who's a problem?
We CANNOT complete the square with
this 3 here -- the
must be alone! So, we factor him out... of both
x guys --
not the 11! You can't touch him.
Now, we an go ahead with the rest of
the process. Just don't forget about that
3 who's hanging around
in the front.
STEP 3:
STEP 4:
STEP 5:
STEP 6:
Remember to balance it out!
But, be careful... IT'S A TRAP!
How much weight did we
really add on?
4
pounds?
NO!
We really plunked on
12
pounds because the 3
distributes to the 4!
So, take
12 pounds off
on the end:
STEP 7:
Finish it off...
Where's circled guy?
Done! He's ready to
graph!
I'll let you do that!
Continued on the
next
page
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