5-4

5-4 Completing
Completing the
the Square
Square

Warm Up
Lesson Presentation
Lesson Quiz

Holt
Holt
Holt McDougal
Algebra 2Algebra
McDougal Algebra22
 5-4 Completing the Square

Warm Up
Write each expression as a trinomial.
1. (x – 5)2 x2 – 10x + 25

2. (3x + 5)2 9x2 + 30x + 25

Factor each expression.

3. x2 – 18 + 81 (x – 9)2

4. 16x2 + 24x + 9 (4x + 3)2

Holt McDougal Algebra 2

 5-4 Completing the Square

Objectives
Solve quadratic equations by
completing the square.
Write quadratic equations in vertex
form.

Holt McDougal Algebra 2

 5-4 Completing the Square

Vocabulary
completing the square

Holt McDougal Algebra 2

 5-4 Completing the Square

Many quadratic equations contain expressions

that cannot be easily factored. For equations
containing these types of expressions, you can
use square roots to find roots.

Holt McDougal Algebra 2

 5-4 Completing the Square

Reading Math
Read as “plus or minus square root of a.”

Holt McDougal Algebra 2

 5-4 Completing the Square
Example 1A: Solving Equations by Using the Square
Root Property
Solve the equation.

4x2 + 11 = 59
Subtract 11 from both sides.
4x2 = 48

x2 = 12 Divide both sides by 4 to isolate the

square term.

Take the square root of both sides.

Simplify.

Holt McDougal Algebra 2

 5-4 Completing the Square
Example 1A Continued

Check Use a graphing calculator.

Holt McDougal Algebra 2

 5-4 Completing the Square
Example 1B: Solving Equations by Using the Square
Root Property
Solve the equation.

x2 + 12x + 36 = 28

(x + 6)2 = 28 Factor the perfect square trinomial

Take the square root of both sides.

Subtract 6 from both sides.

Simplify.

Holt McDougal Algebra 2

 5-4 Completing the Square
Example 1B Continued

Check Use a graphing calculator.

Holt McDougal Algebra 2

 5-4 Completing the Square
Check It Out! Example 1a

Solve the equation.

4x2 – 20 = 5

4x2 = 25 Add 20 to both sides.

25
x2  Divide both sides by 4 to isolate the
4
square term.

Take the square root of both sides.

Simplify.

Holt McDougal Algebra 2

 5-4 Completing the Square
Check It Out! Example 1a Continued

Check Use a graphing calculator.

Holt McDougal Algebra 2

 5-4 Completing the Square
Check It Out! Example 1b

Solve the equation.

x2 + 8x + 16 = 49

(x + 4)2 = 49 Factor the perfect square trinomial.

Take the square root of both sides.

x = –4 ± 49 Subtract 4 from both sides.

x = –11, 3 Simplify.

Holt McDougal Algebra 2

 5-4 Completing the Square
Check It Out! Example 1b Continued

Check Use a graphing calculator.

Holt McDougal Algebra 2

 5-4 Completing the Square
The methods in the previous examples can be used
only for expressions that are perfect squares.
However, you can use algebra to rewrite any
quadratic expression as a perfect square.

You can use algebra tiles to

model a perfect square trinomial
as a perfect square. The area of
the square at right is x2 + 2x + 1.
Because each side of the square
measures x + 1 units, the area is
also (x + 1)(x + 1), or (x + 1)2.
This shows that (x + 1)2 = x2 +
2x + 1.
Holt McDougal Algebra 2
 5-4 Completing the Square

If a quadratic expression of the form x2 + bx

cannot model a square, you can add a term to
form a perfect square trinomial. This is called
completing the square.

Holt McDougal Algebra 2

 5-4 Completing the Square

The model shows completing the square for x2 + 6x

by adding 9 unit tiles. The resulting perfect square
trinomial is x2 + 6x + 9. Note that completing the
square does not produce an equivalent expression.

Holt McDougal Algebra 2

 5-4 Completing the Square
Example 2A: Completing the Square
Complete the square for the expression. Write
the resulting expression as a binomial squared.

x2 – 14x +

Find .

x2 – 14x + 49 Add.
(x – 7)2 Factor.
Check Find the square of the binomial.
(x – 7)2 = (x – 7)(x – 7)
= x2 – 14x + 49
Holt McDougal Algebra 2
 5-4 Completing the Square
Example 2B: Completing the Square
Complete the square for the expression. Write
the resulting expression as a binomial squared.

x2 + 9x +
Check Find the square
Find . of the binomial.

Add.

Factor.

Holt McDougal Algebra 2

 5-4 Completing the Square
Check It Out! Example 2a
Complete the square for the expression. Write
the resulting expression as a binomial squared.
x2 + 4x +
Find .

x2 + 4x + 4 Add.
(x + 2)2 Factor.

Check Find the square of the binomial.

(x + 2)2 = (x + 2)(x + 2)
= x2 + 4x + 4
Holt McDougal Algebra 2
 5-4 Completing the Square
Check It Out! Example 2b
Complete the square for the expression. Write
the resulting expression as a binomial squared.
x2 – 4x +
Find .

x2 – 4x + 4 Add.
(x – 2)2 Factor.
Check Find the square of the binomial.
(x – 2)2 = (x – 2)(x – 2)
= x2 – 4x + 4

Holt McDougal Algebra 2

 5-4 Completing the Square
Check It Out! Example 2c
Complete the square for the expression. Write
the resulting expression as a binomial squared.
x2 + 3x +
Check Find the square
Find . of the binomial.

Add.

Factor.

Holt McDougal Algebra 2

 5-4 Completing the Square

You can complete the square to solve quadratic

equations.

Holt McDougal Algebra 2

 5-4 Completing the Square
Example 3A: Solving a Quadratic Equation by
Completing the Square
Solve the equation by completing the square.

x2 = 12x – 20
Collect variable terms on
x2 – 12x = –20
one side.
x2 – 12x + = –20 + Set up to complete the
square.
Add to both sides.

x2 – 12x + 36 = –20 + 36 Simplify.

Holt McDougal Algebra 2

 5-4 Completing the Square
Example 3A Continued

(x – 6)2 = 16 Factor.

Take the square root of

both sides.

x – 6 = ±4 Simplify.

x – 6 = 4 or x – 6 = –4 Solve for x.

x = 10 or x = 2

Holt McDougal Algebra 2

 5-4 Completing the Square
Example 3B: Solving a Quadratic Equation by
Completing the Square
Solve the equation by completing the square.

18x + 3x2 = 45

x2 + 6x = 15 Divide both sides by 3.

x2 + 6x + = 15 + Set up to complete the

square.
Add to both sides.

x2 + 6x + 9 = 15 + 9 Simplify.

Holt McDougal Algebra 2

 5-4 Completing the Square
Example 3B Continued

(x + 3)2 = 24 Factor.

Take the square root of

both sides.

Simplify.

Holt McDougal Algebra 2

 5-4 Completing the Square
Check It Out! Example 3a

Solve the equation by completing the square.

x2 – 2 = 9x
Collect variable terms on
x2 – 9x = 2
one side.
x2 – 9x + =2+ Set up to complete the
square.
Add to both sides.

Simplify.

Holt McDougal Algebra 2

 5-4 Completing the Square
Check It Out! Example 3a Continued

Factor.

9 Take the square root of

x –  ± 89
2 4 both sides.

9 ± 89
x Simplify.
2

Holt McDougal Algebra 2

 5-4 Completing the Square
Check It Out! Example 3b

Solve the equation by completing the square.

3x2 – 24x = 27

x2 – 8x = 9 Divide both sides by 3.

Set up to complete the
x2 –8x + =9+
square.

Add to both sides.

Simplify.

Holt McDougal Algebra 2

 5-4 Completing the Square
Check It Out! Example 3b Continued

Solve the equation by completing the square.

Factor.

Take the square root

of both sides.
Simplify.

x – 4 =–5 or x – 4 = 5 Solve for x.

x =–1 or x = 9

Holt McDougal Algebra 2

 5-4 Completing the Square

Recall the vertex form of a quadratic function

from lesson 5-1: f(x) = a(x – h)2 + k, where the
vertex is (h, k).

You can complete the square to rewrite any

quadratic function in vertex form.

Helpful Hint
In Example 3, the equation was balanced by
adding to both sides. Here, the equation is
balanced by adding and subtracting on one
side.

Holt McDougal Algebra 2

 5-4 Completing the Square
Example 4A: Writing a Quadratic Function in Vertex
Form
Write the function in vertex form, and identify
its vertex.
f(x) = x2 + 16x – 12
Set up to complete
f(x)=(x2 + 16x + ) – 12 – the square.

Add and subtract .

f(x) = (x + 8)2 – 76 Simplify and factor.

Because h = –8 and k = –76, the vertex is (–8, –76).

Holt McDougal Algebra 2
 5-4 Completing the Square
Example 4A Continued

Check Use the axis of symmetry formula to

confirm vertex.

y = f(–8) = (–8)2 + 16(–8) – 12 = –76 

Holt McDougal Algebra 2

 5-4 Completing the Square
Example 4B: Writing a Quadratic Function in Vertex
Form
Write the function in vertex form, and identify
its vertex
g(x) = 3x2 – 18x + 7
Factor so the coefficient
g(x) = 3(x2 – 6x) + 7
of x2 is 1.
g(x) = 3(x2 – 6x + )+7– Set up to complete the
square.
2
Add . Because
is multiplied by 3, you
must subtract 3 .
Holt McDougal Algebra 2
 5-4 Completing the Square
Example 4B Continued

g(x) = 3(x – 3)2 – 20 Simplify and factor.

Because h = 3 and k = –20, the vertex is (3, –20).

Check A graph of the

function on a
graphing calculator
supports your
answer.

Holt McDougal Algebra 2

 5-4 Completing the Square
Check It Out! Example 4a

Write the function in vertex form, and identify

its vertex

f(x) = x2 + 24x + 145

f(x) = (x2 + 24x + ) + 145 – Set up to complete

the square.
Add and subtract .

f(x) = (x + 12)2 + 1 Simplify and factor.

Because h = –12 and k = 1, the vertex is (–12, 1).

Holt McDougal Algebra 2
 5-4 Completing the Square
Check It Out! Example 4a Continued

Check Use the axis of symmetry formula to

confirm vertex.

y = f(–12) = (–12)2 + 24(–12) + 145 = 1 

Holt McDougal Algebra 2

 5-4 Completing the Square
Check It Out! Example 4b

Write the function in vertex form, and identify

its vertex
g(x) = 5x2 – 50x + 128
g(x) = 5(x2 – 10x) + 128 Factor so the coefficient
of x2 is 1.
g(x) = 5(x2 – 10x + ) + 128 – Set up to complete the
square.
Add . Because
is multiplied by 5, you
must subtract 5 .
Holt McDougal Algebra 2
 5-4 Completing the Square
Check It Out! Example 4b Continued

g(x) = 5(x – 5)2 + 3 Simplify and factor.

Because h = 5 and k = 3, the vertex is (5, 3).

Check A graph of the

function on a
graphing calculator
supports your
answer.

Holt McDougal Algebra 2

 5-4 Completing the Square
Lesson Quiz
1. Complete the square for the expression
x2 – 15x + . Write the resulting expression
as a binomial squared.

Solve each equation.

2. x2 – 16x + 64 = 20 3. x2 – 27 = 4x

Write each function in vertex form and

identify its vertex.
4. f(x)= x2 + 6x – 7 5. f(x) = 2x2 – 12x – 27
f(x) = (x + 3)2 – 16; f(x) = 2(x – 3)2 – 45;
(–3, –16) (3, –45)
Holt McDougal Algebra 2