# Math Help - technique of completing the square to transform the quadratic equation

1. ## technique of completing the square to transform the quadratic equation

Hey guys, this is a nice forum Im glad there is one out there that can help people with them skills.

Use the technique of completing the square to transform the quadratic equation below into the form (x + c)2 = a.

4x2 + 16x + 12 = 0

I seem to be having a bit of trouble figuiring this out...can someone help?

2. firstly, you'll want to get rid of the 4

$4x^2+16x -12 = 0$
$x^2+4x-3 = 0$

Then, ask yourself, if you work out the brackets of $(x+c)^2$, what makes sure you get +4x ? In this case that is $c=2 \frac{4}{2}$, because $(x+2)^2 = x^2 + 4x + 4$
So, what you have now is:
$(x+2)^2 = x^2 + 4x + 4$
$(x+2)^2 - 4 = x^2 + 4x$
$(x+2)^2 -7 = x^2 + 4x - 3$
Therefore, $(x+2)^2 = 7$ is equivalent to the first equation.

Does that make it clear?

3. Originally Posted by Pim
firstly, you'll want to get rid of the 4

$4x^2+16x -12 = 0$
$x^2+4x-3 = 0$

Then, ask yourself, if you work out the brackets of $(x+c)^2$, what makes sure you get +4x ? In this case that is $c=2 \frac{4}{2}$, because $(x+2)^2 = x^2 + 4x + 4$
So, what you have now is:
$(x+2)^2 = x^2 + 4x + 4$
$(x+2)^2 - 4 = x^2 + 4x$
$(x+2)^2 -7 = x^2 + 4x - 3$
Therefore, $(x+2)^2 = 7$ is equivalent to the first equation.

Does that make it clear?
Thanks. Well sorta but the answer doesn't fit the from whats above.

4. Hello everyone

I'm sure Pim meant to say:

$4x^2+16x+12=0$
$\Rightarrow x^2+4x+3=0$

$\Rightarrow (x+2)^2-1=0$

$\Rightarrow (x+2)^2=1$

$4x^2+16x+12=0$
$\Rightarrow x^2+4x+3=0$
$\Rightarrow (x+2)^2-1=0$
$\Rightarrow (x+2)^2=1$