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4x^2-4x-27

 May 26, 2014

Best Answer 

 #2
avatar+118608 
+5

I think this is an odd question.

Usually completing the square is done as a quadratic equation solving technique.  

But if you just want to know what constant needs to be added to make it a perfect square then this is what I'd do.

(it is very similar to what heureka has done)

$$4x^2-4x-27\\\\
=4(x^2-x-\frac{27}{4})\\\\
=4(x^2-1x+\frac{1}{4}-\frac{28}{4})\\\\
=4(x^2-1x+\frac{1}{4}-\frac{28}{4})\\\\
=4(x^2-1x+\frac{1}{4})-28\\\\
=2^2(x^2-\frac{1}{2}x+\frac{1}{4})-28\\\\
=2^2(x-\frac{1}{2})^2-28\\\\
=\left(2(x-\frac{1}{2})\right)^2-28\\\\
=\left(2x-1\right)^2-28\\\\$$

So the expression would be a perfect square if 28 were added.

 May 27, 2014
 #1
avatar+26367 
+7

$$\\4x^2-4x-27 \\
=4(x^2-x)-27\\
=4\left(x^2-x+\left(\frac{1}{2}\right)^2-\left(\frac{1}{2}\right)^2\right) -27\\
=4\left( \left( x-\frac{1}{2}\right)^2-\frac{1}{4}\right) -27\\
=4\left(x-\frac{1}{2}\right)^2 - \frac{4}{4}-27\\
=4\left(x-\frac{1}{2}\right)^2 - 1-27\\
=4\left(x-\frac{1}{2}\right)^2 -28\\$$

.
 May 26, 2014
 #2
avatar+118608 
+5
Best Answer

I think this is an odd question.

Usually completing the square is done as a quadratic equation solving technique.  

But if you just want to know what constant needs to be added to make it a perfect square then this is what I'd do.

(it is very similar to what heureka has done)

$$4x^2-4x-27\\\\
=4(x^2-x-\frac{27}{4})\\\\
=4(x^2-1x+\frac{1}{4}-\frac{28}{4})\\\\
=4(x^2-1x+\frac{1}{4}-\frac{28}{4})\\\\
=4(x^2-1x+\frac{1}{4})-28\\\\
=2^2(x^2-\frac{1}{2}x+\frac{1}{4})-28\\\\
=2^2(x-\frac{1}{2})^2-28\\\\
=\left(2(x-\frac{1}{2})\right)^2-28\\\\
=\left(2x-1\right)^2-28\\\\$$

So the expression would be a perfect square if 28 were added.

Melody May 27, 2014

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