Write x^2 + 6x - 10 in the form ((x+a)^2)+b?

To find the value of a divide the coeffecient of x. Here this would be 6/2 which = 3. If we were to expand (x + 3)^2 + b this would give us:x^2 + 3x +3x + 3^2 +b which simplifies to x^2 + 6x + 3^2 + b. If we compare the coeffecients of this with the given quadratic, we can see the constant term is 3^2 + b = - 10If we rearrange this we can see b = -19Therefore x^2 + 6x - 10 in the form ((x+a)^2)+b is (x + 3)^2 - 19.The b is always equal to a^2 - [constant term of the quadratic].

GG
Answered by Gunalini G. Maths tutor

14410 Views

See similar Maths GCSE tutors

Related Maths GCSE answers

All answers ▸

There are 10 beads in a bag. Four beads are green, six are black. If three beads are taken at random without replacement, what is the probability that they are the same colour?


Find the equation of the line perpendicular to y=2x-1 that passes through (2,0)


Fahima buys 2 packets of bread rolls costing £1.50 for each packet 1 bottle of ketchup costing £1.60 3 packets of sausages Fahima pays with a £10 note. She gets 30p change. Fahima works out that one packet of sausages costs £2.30 Is Fahima right?


How do I find the missing length using trigonometry?


We're here to help

contact us iconContact ustelephone icon+44 (0) 203 773 6020
Facebook logoInstagram logoLinkedIn logo

MyTutor is part of the IXL family of brands:

© 2026 by IXL Learning