Completing the Square

For example,

Now, “completing the square” is very helpful when it comes to solving quadratic equations or graphing quadratic polynomials. There are other uses too but we’ll limit ourselves to these two only.

So, let’s see how we can complete the square and use it to our advantage.

Quadratic Polynomials — A Quick Intro

A quadratic polynomial is any polynomial of degree two.

The standard form of a quadratic polynomial is $\hspace{0.2em} ax^2 + bx + c, \hspace{0.4em} a \neq 0 \hspace{0.2em}$.

Basically, in the standard form, we have the $\hspace{0.2em} x^2$–term, then the $\hspace{0.2em} x$–term, and then the constant term term at the end.

An example of a quadratic polynomial in its standard form would be $\hspace{0.2em} 4x^2 - 9x + 2 \hspace{0.2em}$.

Here a few more examples of quadratic polynomials and how they can be expressed in their standard forms even if they don't appear to be so.

Alright, having covered the basics, in the following section we'll see how the method of completing the square works.

Completing the Square — Method

Depending on whether the leading coefficient is $\hspace{0.2em} 1 \hspace{0.2em}$, our method varies slightly and so we'll look at the two types of polynomials separately.

When the Leading Coefficient Is 1

Solution

Step 1.  Make sure the leading coefficient is $\hspace{0.2em} 1 \hspace{0.2em}$. And arrange the terms in the standard order ($\hspace{0.2em} x^2 \hspace{0.2em}$ followed by $\hspace{0.2em} x \hspace{0.2em}$ and then the constant), if they are not already.

It is in our case here, so we can move to the next step.

Step 2.  Take half of the coefficient of $\hspace{0.2em} x \hspace{0.2em}$ (or whatever the variable is). Then add and subtract its square from the polynomial.

Here, the coefficient of $\hspace{0.2em} x \hspace{0.2em}$ is $\hspace{0.2em} -2 \hspace{0.2em}$.

• Dividing it by $\hspace{0.2em} 2 \hspace{0.2em}$ we get $\hspace{0.2em} {\color{Teal} -1} \hspace{0.2em}$. We'll call it $\hspace{0.2em} {\color{Teal} h} \hspace{0.2em}$.
• And then taking the square, we get $\hspace{0.2em} {\color{Red} 1} \hspace{0.2em}$.

So we add and subtract $\hspace{0.2em} {\color{Red} 1} \hspace{0.2em}$ from the polynomial.

Step 3.  As I just mentioned, everything upto the first additional term makes a perfect square. Replace it with $\hspace{0.2em} (x + {\color{Teal} h} )^2 \hspace{0.2em}$. Remember $\hspace{0.2em} {\color{Teal} h} \hspace{0.2em}$ from the last step?

Also, simplify the rest of the polynomial.

In our case here, $\hspace{0.2em} {\color{Teal} h} \hspace{0.2em}$ is $\hspace{0.2em} {\color{Teal} -1} \hspace{0.2em}$. That means $\hspace{0.2em} x + {\color{Teal} h} \hspace{0.2em}$ would be $\hspace{0.2em} x {\color{Teal} \hspace{0.25em} - \hspace{0.25em} 1} \hspace{0.2em}$. So,

And that’s it. We have succesfully completed the square.

Solution

Step 1.  We start by confirming the leading coefficient is $\hspace{0.2em} 1 \hspace{0.2em}$. And that the terms are in the standard order.

All's good, so we can move to the next step.

Step 2.  The coefficient of $\hspace{0.2em} x \hspace{0.2em}$ is $\hspace{0.2em} 3 \hspace{0.2em}$.

• Dividing it by $\hspace{0.2em} 2 \hspace{0.2em}$ we get $\hspace{0.2em} {\color{Teal} 3/2} \hspace{0.2em}$. We'll call it $\hspace{0.2em} {\color{Teal} h} \hspace{0.2em}$.
• And then taking the square, we get $\hspace{0.2em} {\color{Red} 9/4} \hspace{0.2em}$.

So we add and subtract $\hspace{0.2em} {\color{Red} 9/4} \hspace{0.2em}$ from the polynomial.

Step 3.  The first three terms make a perfect square. We replace them with $\hspace{0.2em} (x + {\color{Teal} h} )^2 \hspace{0.2em}$ or $\hspace{0.2em} (x {\color{Teal} \hspace{0.25em} + \hspace{0.25em} 3/2} )^2 \hspace{0.2em}$.

Done.

When the Leading Coefficient Isn't 1

Solution

In the previous examples, the leading coefficient was alread $\hspace{0.2em} 1 \hspace{0.2em}$, so we could skip the first step and go straight to the second.

Step 1.  As shown below, multiply and divide the given polynomial by the leading coefficient so the leading coefficient becomes $\hspace{0.2em} 1 \hspace{0.2em}$.

Here, the leading coefficient is $\hspace{0.2em} {\color{Orchid} 2} \hspace{0.2em}$. So —

Step 2.  The coefficient of $\hspace{0.2em} x \hspace{0.2em}$ is $\hspace{0.2em} -2 \hspace{0.2em}$.

• Dividing it by $\hspace{0.2em} 2 \hspace{0.2em}$ gives us $\hspace{0.2em} {\color{Teal} -1} \hspace{0.2em}$. Again, let's label it $\hspace{0.2em} {\color{Teal} h} \hspace{0.2em}$.
• And then taking the square, we get $\hspace{0.2em} {\color{Red} 1} \hspace{0.2em}$.

So we add and subtract $\hspace{0.2em} {\color{Red} 1} \hspace{0.2em}$ from the polynomial.

Step 3.  Again, the first three terms make a perfect square. We replace them with $\hspace{0.2em} (x + {\color{Teal} h} )^2 \hspace{0.2em}$ or $\hspace{0.2em} (x {\color{Teal} \hspace{0.25em} - \hspace{0.25em} 1} )^2 \hspace{0.2em}$.

We're not done yet.

Step 4.  We need to bring back the factor we ignored for the last two steps.

That means our expression becomes —

That's it. Once you have become comfortable working with polynomial with leading coefficiients of $\hspace{0.2em} 1 \hspace{0.2em}$, this would be much simpler than it may appear now.

Solve Quadratic Equations by Completing the Square

Here's an example of how we can solve quadratic equations by completing the square.

Complete the Square to Find the Vertex

Completing the Square — Visualization