Completing the Square (Online Tutorial #24)

Completing the Square

How do I complete the square?

Learning Targets:

• I can identify a quadratic in the form of a perfect square trinomial.

• I can rewrite quadratic functions into perfect square trinomial form by "completing the square."

• I can solve quadratic functions using the "completing the square" technique.

How do you find "c"

Perfect Square Trinomials

Think About It:

What value should go in the blank to complete this square - and what would be the perfect square trinomial we get as a result?

(Hint - don't overthink it, use the area model - what are the dimensions of the purple square?)

The Process

1) Move c term to the other side.

2) Take HALF of the b value, SQUARE it, add to BOTH sides.

3) Rewrite left side as binomial square.

4) Solve by extracting square roots.