Completing the Square (1)

Starter
1) Solve these quadratic equations however you want to…
2 2
𝑥 =12 𝑥 −32 Subtract 12x 2 𝑥 −6 𝑥 +3=0
and add 32 a= b=- c=3
2
𝑥 −12 𝑥+ 32=0 2 6 2
Factorise −𝑏 ± √ 𝑏 − 4 𝑎𝑐
𝑥=
( 𝑥 − 8 ) ( 𝑥 − 4 ) =0 2𝑎 Sub in
Either bracket values
could be 0 6 ± √ (− 6)2 −( 4 × 2× 3)
𝑥=8 𝑜𝑟 4 𝑥=
2(2)
Calculat
e
𝑥=2.37 𝑜𝑟 0.63
2) What is a discriminant and what does it tell us?
If greater than 0, equation has 2 roots
2
𝑏 − 4 𝑎𝑐 If equal to 0, equation has one root

If less than 0, equation has no roots

 Completing the Square (1)
• You have seen 2 methods for solving
quadratic equations so far

• One is by setting equal to 0, and then

factorising. The other is by use of the
quadratic formula.

• Today you will learn a third method which

can be used, known as ‘Completing the
Square’
 Completing the Square (1)
Simplify the expressions below. What do you notice in each
case?
( 𝑥 −3 )2 − 9 A squared bracket
( 𝑥+ 5 )2 − 25
A squared bracket
means the same
means the same
bracket twice
¿ ( 𝑥 −3)( 𝑥 − 3) −9 ¿ ( 𝑥+5)( 𝑥 +5) −25 bracket twice

Expand the
Expand the
brackets
brackets
2 2
¿ 𝑥 − 3 𝑥 −3 𝑥+ 9 −9 ¿ 𝑥 + 5 𝑥 +5 𝑥+ 25 −25
Simplify Simplify

2 2
¿ 𝑥 −6𝑥 ¿ 𝑥 + 10 𝑥

 The top expression is equivalent to the bottom one in both cases, but with the x in only one
place. This is really helpful when solving equations!

 Do you notice any links between the numbers?

 Completing the Square (1)
2
Essentially, Completing the 𝑥 −4 𝑥 Write using a
Square is a method for solving Half squared
quadratic equations by writing bracket
part of the equation in a ¿ ( 𝑥 − 2 )2−( 4)
different way
Square

 The idea is that instead of

having the two ‘x’ terms with
different powers (which 2
therefore can’t be grouped 𝑥 +12 𝑥 Write using a
together), you can write an Half squared
bracket
expression with a single ‘x’
term instead! ¿ ( 𝑥+ 6 ) 2−(36)
Square
 This does take some practice!
In both cases, the first and second
expressions are equal!
 Completing the Square (1)
2
Essentially, Completing the 𝑥 +8 𝑥 Write using a
Square is a method for solving Half squared
quadratic equations by writing bracket
part of the equation in a 2
¿ ( 𝑥+ 4 ) −(16)
different way
Square

 The idea is that instead of

having the two ‘x’ terms with
different powers (which 2
therefore can’t be grouped 𝑥 −2 𝑥 Write using a
together), you can write an Half squared
bracket
expression with a single ‘x’
term instead! ¿ ( 𝑥 −1 )2− (1)
Square
 This does take some practice!
In both cases, the first and second
expressions are equal!
 Completing the Square (1)
For the ‘completing the 2
2 𝑥 +16 𝑥
square’ pattern to work, Take out 2 as a
factor
the first value needs to ¿ 2 ( 𝑥 2 +8 𝑥 )
Complete the
be a single ‘x2’ Half square for the
inner part
¿ 2 ( ( 𝑥 + 4 )2 −(16) )
 If it isn’t, you need to Multiply both
of the inner
Square
take out a factor to parts by the 2
¿ 2 ( 𝑥+ 4 )2 − 32
change it

 This will then affect

the answer slightly!
 Completing the Square (1)
For the ‘completing the 2
3 𝑥 −18 𝑥
square’ pattern to work, Take out 3 as a
factor
the first value needs to ¿ 3 ( 𝑥 2 −6 𝑥 )
Complete the
be a single ‘x2’ Half square for the
inner part
¿ 3 ( ( 𝑥 −3 )2 −(9) )
 If it isn’t, you need to Multiply both
of the inner
Square
take out a factor to 2
parts by the 3
¿ 3 ( 𝑥 − 3 ) −27
change it

 This will then affect

the answer slightly!
 Completing the Square (1)
For the ‘completing the 2
2 𝑥 −14 𝑥
square’ pattern to work, Take out 2 as a
factor
the first value needs to ¿ 2 ( 𝑥2− 7 𝑥 )
Complete the
be a single ‘x2’ Half square for the
inner part

(( ) ( ))
2
7 49
 If it isn’t, you need to ¿2 𝑥 − −
2 4
take out a factor to Square
Multiply both
of the inner

( )
2
change it ¿2 𝑥−
7
−
98 parts by the 2
2 4
Simplify the
fraction if
 This will then affect
( )
2
7 49 possible
¿2 𝑥− −
the answer slightly! 2 2
 Completing the Square (1)
You might also have 2
𝑥 +12 𝑥 − 3 Complete the
other numbers involved square for the
first 2 terms
which will affect your
2
−3
¿ ( 𝑥+ 6 ) −(36)
answer… Simplify
¿ ( 𝑥+ 6 ) 2 −39
 In this case, ‘Complete
You should check your
the Square’ for the first answer!
2 terms ( 𝑥+ 6 )2 −39 Square the
bracket
2
− 39
¿ 𝑥 + 6 𝑥+ 6 𝑥 +36
 Then consider how to Collect like
terms
2
simplify the final ¿ 𝑥 + 12 𝑥 − 3
answer…
 Plenary
“But why is it called Completing the
x 4 Square?” x 2 4

x x2 4x x x2 2x

The total area of the 2 2x 4

rectangle above is:
Imagine we change the rectangle to a
x(x + 4)
square, and replace the 4 with a 2 (and
introduce a separate 2 down the side)
= x2 + 4x
The total area of the square will be:
To keep the area the same, we need
to subtract the extra ‘+4’ that we (x + 2)2
have
= x2 + 4x + 4
So therefore:

x2 + 4x = (x + 2)2 - 4
 Summary
• We have learnt a process know as
‘completing the square’

• You have seen how to do it, and learnt

that it can take an expression with x
terms of different powers, and combine
them

• Next lesson we will see how to use this to

solve equations!