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

1 Answer
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