is this right? maths, quadricts?

Question

express each of the following as (x+a)² + c²

questions one;
x²+2x+3,
this is what i got
(x+1)² + 2

now what i'm confused about is should it be 2 or 2²


(note 2^2 = 2², short cut for squared is alt+253 (you type the numbers on the num pad - please pass this on)

also how would i solve this
x²+3x+1 (using the same as above)

Answer 1

yaya..u r right! it is 2 nt 2²

2) x²+3x+1
=(x+3/2)²+1-(3/2)²
= (x+3/2)²-5/4

Answer 2

x²+3x+1

One way to rearrange

x²+2x+1 + x

(x + 1)² + x