Chapter 2: Problem 42
Solve the quadratic equation by completing the square. Verify your answer graphically. $$-x^{2}+6 x-16=0$$
Short Answer
Expert verified
The roots of the quadratic equation \( -x^{2}+6x-16=0 \) are \( x = 3 + \sqrt{7}i \) and \( x = 3 - \sqrt{7}i \)
Step by step solution
01
Write the given equation in standard form
The given equation is already in standard form, i.e, \( -x^{2}+6x-16=0 \)
02
Move the constant term to the right side
To complete the square, move constant term on the other side of equation, giving \( -x^{2}+6x = 16 \)
03
Divide the equation by coefficient of x^2
Dividing each side by -1, we get \( x^2-6x = -16 \)
04
Move the coefficient of x to complete the square
Half the coefficient of \( x \) is -3. Square this value, i.e., (-3)² = 9, and add it to both sides, giving \( x^2-6x+9 = -16+9 \),which simplifies to \( x^2-6x+9 = -7 \)
05
Simplify the equation to find the roots
Taking square root on both sides, we get \( (x - 3) = \sqrt{-7} \). As there is a negative sign under the square root, there will be no real roots. Therefore, the roots are complex i.e. \( (x - 3) = \pm \sqrt{7}i \). So, the roots of the equation are \( x = 3 + \sqrt{7}i \) and \( x = 3 - \sqrt{7}i \)
06
Verify the roots graphically
Plot the function \( y = -x^{2}+6x-16 \). Since the roots are complex, they won't intersect the x-axis, which is true as per the graphical representation.
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Key Concepts
These are the key concepts you need to understand to accurately answer the question.
Completing the Square
Completing the square is a method used to solve quadratic equations by turning a quadratic expression into a perfect square trinomial. This makes it easier to solve for the variable, especially when factoring isn't straightforward.
To complete the square for the quadratic equation \(-x^2 + 6x - 16 = 0\), we first need to rearrange it into the form \(x^2 - 6x = -16\) by moving the constant to the other side and ensuring the leading coefficient of \(x^2\) is positive.
To complete the square for the quadratic equation \(-x^2 + 6x - 16 = 0\), we first need to rearrange it into the form \(x^2 - 6x = -16\) by moving the constant to the other side and ensuring the leading coefficient of \(x^2\) is positive.
- Find half of the coefficient of \(x\), which is -3, and then square it to get 9.
- Add 9 to both sides of the equation to maintain equality. This transforms the equation into \(x^2 - 6x + 9 = -7\).
Complex Roots
When solving \((x - 3)^2 = -7\), taking the square root reveals a negative number under the radical. This indicates the presence of complex roots.
The expression becomes \(x - 3 = \pm \sqrt{7}i\). Here, \(i\) is the imaginary unit, defined as \(\sqrt{-1}\). Complex roots occur in conjugate pairs, that is, pairs like \(3 + \sqrt{7}i\) and \(3 - \sqrt{7}i\).
The expression becomes \(x - 3 = \pm \sqrt{7}i\). Here, \(i\) is the imaginary unit, defined as \(\sqrt{-1}\). Complex roots occur in conjugate pairs, that is, pairs like \(3 + \sqrt{7}i\) and \(3 - \sqrt{7}i\).
- Complex roots mean the graph of the quadratic doesn't cross the x-axis.
- This makes completing the square particularly useful, as it leads directly to the identification of complex solutions.
Graphical Verification
Graphically verifying the solution involves plotting the quadratic equation \(y = -x^2 + 6x - 16\). When you plot it:
- The curve opens downwards, due to the negative sign in front of \(x^2\).
- Since the roots are complex, the graph does not touch or intersect the x-axis.
Standard Form of Quadratic
Quadratic equations are often expressed in standard form as \(ax^2 + bx + c = 0\). This format is crucial for applying various solution methods, like completing the square or the quadratic formula.
In our example, the equation \(-x^2 + 6x - 16 = 0\) is already in standard form. Here:
In our example, the equation \(-x^2 + 6x - 16 = 0\) is already in standard form. Here:
- \(a = -1\), \(b = 6\), and \(c = -16\).
- Maintaining this form simplifies the process of identifying necessary transformations or calculations.