How do you solve using the completing the square method x^2 + 7x – 9 = 0?

1 Answer
Mar 15, 2016

Answer: x=-7/2+-sqrt(85)/2 or x approx -8.11 or 1.11

Explanation:

To solve by completing the square, first add 9 to both sides

x^2+7x=9

Then you have to manipulate the number in front of x, in this case 7. You divide it by two and square the result, giving you

(7/2)^2=49/4

Add this to both sides of the above equation, giving

x^2+7x+(7/2)^2=9+(7/2)^2

This creates a perfect square on the left, such that

(x+7/2)^2 = 85/4

Take the square root of both sides, giving

x+7/2=+-sqrt(85)/2

Don't forget that +- in front of your square root operation! Now simply subtract 7/2 from both sides.

x=-7/2+-sqrt(85)/2

Plugging that into a calculator gives:

x approx -8.11 or x approx 1.11