Chapter 2: Problem 41
Solve the quadratic equation by completing the square. Verify your answer graphically. $$-6+2 x-x^{2}=0$$
Short Answer
Expert verified
The solutions to the quadratic equation \( -x^2 + 2x - 6 = 0 \) are \( x = 1 + \sqrt{7} \) and \( x = 1 - \sqrt{7} \).
Step by step solution
01
Rearrange the equation
First, rearrange the given equation \( -6 + 2x - x^2 = 0 \) into a standard form of a quadratic equation, which is \( ax^2 + bx + c = 0 \). The equation in the standard form becomes: \( -x^2 + 2x - 6 = 0 \)
02
Change the equation to the form \( (x-h)^2 = k \)
Add 6 to both sides and then divide the entire equation by -1 in order to get a positive leading coefficient: \( x^2 - 2x - 6 = 0 \) becomes \( x^2 - 2x = 6 \)
03
Complete the square
To complete the square, take half of the coefficient of x, square it and add it to both sides of the equation. Here, coefficient of x is -2, half of -2 is -1, and (-1)^2 is 1. So, the equation \( x^2 - 2x = 6 \) becomes \( x^2 - 2x + 1 = 6 + 1 \), which simplifies to \( (x - 1)^2 = 7 \).
04
Solve for x
Square root both sides of the equation to solve for x. So, \( x -1 = \pm \sqrt{7} \). Adding 1 to both sides to isolate x gives \( x = 1 \pm \sqrt{7} \). This simplifies to \( x = 1 + \sqrt{7} \) and \( x = 1 - \sqrt{7} \).
05
Graphically verifying the solution
The graph of the given equation \( y = -x^2 + 2x - 6 \) is a parabola that opens downwards. The x-intercepts of the graph will be the solutions to the equation, since at these points, y=0. When you graph the function, you will see that the parabola indeed crosses the x-axis at these two points: \( x = 1 + \sqrt{7} \) and \( x = 1 - \sqrt{7} \), thus verifying the solution graphically.
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Key Concepts
These are the key concepts you need to understand to accurately answer the question.
Completing the Square
In algebra, completing the square is a technique used to solve quadratic equations. It's a method that transforms a quadratic equation into a perfect square trinomial, making it easier to solve. This is a valuable tool when an equation doesn't factor nicely. Here’s how we do it:
- First, ensure your equation is in the form: \( ax^2 + bx + c = 0 \).
- Move the constant term \( c \) to the opposite side of the equation.
- Focus on the quadratic and linear terms: \( ax^2 + bx \).
- Divide every term by \( a \) if \( a eq 1 \) to make the coefficient of \( x^2 \) equal to 1.
- Take half of the coefficient of \( x \), square it, and add it to both sides to form a perfect square.
Graphical Verification
After solving a quadratic equation algebraically by completing the square, it's a good idea to verify your solutions graphically. This ensures you've found the correct x-values where the parabola actually crosses the x-axis. Here's a step-by-step on how graphical verification works with our equation:
- Take the quadratic function, e.g., \( y = -x^2 + 2x - 6 \).
- Graph the function using a graphing tool or calculator.
- Check where the graph intersects the x-axis; these intersection points are your solutions.
Parabolas
Parabolas are the graphs of quadratic functions, shaped like a U or an upside-down U. They have unique properties, such as a vertex, axis of symmetry, and potential x-intercepts. Understanding these features helps when working with quadratic equations.
- For a quadratic equation \( ax^2 + bx + c = 0 \), the graph will be a parabola.
- If \( a > 0 \), the parabola opens upwards; if \( a < 0 \), it opens downwards.
- The vertex is the highest or lowest point, acting as a crucial point for transformations.
- The axis of symmetry is a vertical line through the vertex dividing the parabola into mirror images.
- X-intercepts are where the graph crosses the x-axis, representing the solutions of the equation.
Solutions to Quadratic Equations
Quadratic equations can have either real number solutions or complex solutions. The solutions are the x-values where the quadratic touches or crosses the x-axis, known as zeros or roots.
- There are several ways to find these solutions: factoring, using the quadratic formula, or completing the square.
- Real solutions occur where the graph intersects the x-axis.
- If the graph doesn’t cross the x-axis, the equation's solutions are complex (involving imaginary numbers).
- The number of solutions depends on the discriminant \( b^2 - 4ac \) from the quadratic formula.