How do you solve using the completing the square method y^2 + 16y = 2?

1 Answer
May 25, 2016

y = -8 +- sqrt66

Explanation:

find the number needed to complete the square:
(b/2)^2 = (16/2)^2 = 64
add to both sides of w=equation
y^2 + 16y + 64 = 2 + 64
factor and simplify
(y + 8)(y + 8) = 66 -> (y + 8)^2 = 66
take square root of both sides
y + 8 = +- sqrt66
subtract 8 from both sides
y = -8 +-sqrt66