How do you solve using the completing the square method x^2+1.4x=1.2?

1 Answer
May 8, 2016

The constant is already on the right hand side. Add a missing term to each side to create the square of a binomial on the left.
x = 0.6, x = -2

Explanation:

[add (b/2)^2 to both sides]

#x2 + 1.4x + (1.4/2)^2 = 1.2 + (1.4/2)^2

(x + 0.7)^2 = 1.69 " sqrt both sides"

x + 0.7 = +-1.3

x = +1.3 - 0.7 or x= -1.3 -0.7

x = 0.6, x = -2