I'm thinking the answer is 'to set the quadratic equation equal to zero.' Can anyone verify if that's correct for me?
2007-10-01 12:01:55 · 3 answers · asked by Jami H 1 in Science & Mathematics ➔ Mathematics
So many different answers and I don't have a clue myself!
This problem won't have anything to do with the solving, it's only asking me what the first step is. Wouldn't I have to set it equal to zero for it to even become an equation?
I really have no idea! I appreciate any help.
2007-10-01 12:15:41 · update #1
you cannot complete the square until a=1
so you need to divide the whole thing by 5
x^2+10x+_=0
x^2+10x+25=25
(x+5)^2=25
x+5=+-5
x=0
or
x=-10
2007-10-01 12:06:55 · answer #1 · answered by Taylor C 1 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Completing the square?
I would first divide the whole equation by 5 first.
5x^2 + 50x = 0
x^2 + 10x = 0
Then take a half of the x term then square it.
x^2 + 10x + 25 = 0 + 25
(x + 5)^2 = 25
x+5 = +/- 5
you know the rest, correct?
2007-10-01 19:07:33 · answer #2 · answered by tkquestion 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I think the first step is writing
y = 5 x^2 + 50X
SECOND STEP
y = 5(x^2 + 10 x)
third step
y + 5 * 25 = 5 (x^2 + 10x + 25), do you see why?
y + 125 = 5 (x+5)^2 or
y = 5(x+5)^2 - 125.
Done.
2007-10-01 19:08:54 · answer #3 · answered by pbb1001 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋