Question

How do you solve `x^2 + 6x = 3` using completing the square?

Answer 1

To complete the square you add `9` to both sides.

Explanation:

Method : you halve the `x`-coefficient (`6`) to get `3`, and the square of that (`9`) is needed to complete the square.

`->x^2+6x+9=3+9`

`->(x+3)^2=12->x+3=+-sqrt12=+-2sqrt3`

`->x_(1,2)=-3+-2sqrt3`

(remember `+-` means two solutions, one with + and one with -)