Use completing the square to find the minimum of y = x^2 - 4x + 8

Remember completing the square gives a result of the form (x+q)2 + p where q and p are numbers
Also q is always half of the x term, which in this case is -4, as such q = -2
Substituting this in, we get (x-2)2 which expands to x2 - 4x + 4. To make this equal to our original equation, we need to add 4, getting us y = (x-2)2 + 4.
As a rule, the minimum point is always x = -q, y = p. Therefore our answer is (2,4)

SD

Related Maths GCSE answers

All answers ▸

Solve 7x - 14 = 4x + 7


Expand and simplify 3(m + 4) – 2(4m + 1)


The area of square ABCD is 10 cm^2 . Show that x^2 + 6x = 1 (requires diagram which I will draw on the whiteboard).


The point P has coordinates (3, 4) The point Q has coordinates (a, b) A line perpendicular to PQ is given by the equation 3x + 2y = 7 Find an expression for b in terms of a