Solve x^2+8x-5=0 using completing the square

by completing the square we write the equation as (x+b/2)^2-b/2^2+c, in this case b=8 (the coefficient of x) and c=5 so we have (x+4)^2-16-5=0, which equals (x+4)^2-21=0. Now by rearranging we get (x+4)^2=21, which goes to x+4=+or-sqrt(21). Therefore x=sgrt21 -4 or x=-sqrt21 -4

LH

Related Further Mathematics A Level answers

All answers ▸

Integrate (x+4)/(x^2+2x+2)


z = 4 /(1+ i) Find, in the form a + i b where a, b belong to R, (a) z, (b) z^2. Given that z is a complex root of the quadratic equation x^2 + px + q = 0, where p and q are real integers, (c) find the value of p and the value of q.


Prove by induction that 11^n - 6 is divisible by 5 for all positive integer n.


Find all the cube roots of 1