Completing the Square

Completing the Square is used to rewrite the general expression ax2 + bx + c for (a 6= 0) in the
form of a(x + d)2 + e. This technique is used in different areas of higher level math.

Example 1: (Case when a = 1 )

Use completing the square technique to rewrite x2 + 6x + 15 in the form of (x + 3)2 + 6.

Step 1: (x2 + 6x) + 15

Step 2: (x2 + 6x + ¤) − ¤ + 15

Step 3: ¤ = (6/2)2 = 9 (Completing the square step)

Step 4: (x2 + 6x + 9) − 9 + 15

Step 5: (x + 3)2 + 6

Example 2: (Case when a 6= 1)

Use completing the square technique to rewrite 2x2 − 8x + 22 in the

form of 2(x − 2)2 + 14.

Step 1: 2(x2 − 4x) + 22

Step 2: 2(x2 − 4x + ¤) − 2 ∗ ¤ + 22

Step 3: ¤ = (4/2)2 = 4 (Completing the square step)

Step 4: 2(x2 − 4x + 4) − 2 ∗ 4 + 22

Step 5: 2(x − 2)2 + 14