Does completing the square always work?

1 Answer
Nov 30, 2015

In order to use the Completing the Square method, the value for #a# in the quadratic equation must be #1#. If it is not #1#, you will have to use the AC method or the quadratic formula in order to solve for #x#.

Explanation:

Completing the square is a method used to solve a quadratic equation, #ax^2+bx+c#, where #a# must be #1#. The goal is to force a perfect square trinomial on one side and then solving for #x# by taking the square root of both sides.

The method is explained at the following website:

http://www.regentsprep.org/regents/math/algtrig/ate12/completesqlesson.htm