Solve by completing the square

[Guest]

x^2 + 6x + 4 = 0

x^2 + 6x = 0 - 4

Now I'm stuck on this on please show steps

 

[stapel]

Simplify the right-hand side. Then:

Take half of the coefficient of the "x" term. (Note the sign.)

Square the halved value, including the sign.

Add this squared value to both sides of the equation.

Convert the left-hand side to perfect-square form. Simplify the right-hand side.

Take the square root of each side, remembering to put a "plus-minus" on the numerical side.

Isolate the "x" to obtain the final solution.

Eliz.

 

[daon]

Stapel, in your steps, you've halved the coefficient of x twice before squaring it.

...

Take half of the coefficient of the "x" term. (Note the sign.)

Multiply this value by one-half.

Square.
...

 

[stapel]

...you've halved the coefficient of x twice before squaring it.

D'oh!

Thank you for catching that. I've edited the instructions (above) to correct my error.

Eliz.