How do you solve #p^2 + 14p - 38=0# by completing the square?

1 Answer
jk.13
Apr 4, 2018

#p=-7+-sqrt87#

Explanation:

#p^2+14p=38# add 38 to both sides to have all the terms with variables on one side
#p^2+14p+49=87# to complete the square, find half of 14, which is the coefficient of 14p and then square it. Half of 14 is 7, and #7^2# is 49, so we add 49 to both sides
#(p+7)^2=87# factor
#p+7=+-sqrt87# square root both sides
#p=-7+-sqrt87# subtract 7 from both sides to solve for p

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