completing the square

completing the square

1. to complete the square you have to write down a squared bracket and then stick a number on the end to complete it

   • x² + 12x - 5 = (x + 6)² - 41

2. rearrange the quadratic into the standard format

   • write out the initial bracket divide the middle value by 2
     • multiply out the brackets and then compare it to the original, to find what you need to add or subtract to complete the square
       • add or subtract the adjusting number to make it match the original