Section 2.6 : Quadratic Equations - Part II
3. Complete the square on the following expression.
\[2{z^2} - 12z\]Show All Steps Hide All Steps
Start Solution
Remember that prior to completing the square we need a coefficient of one on the squared variable. However, we can’t just “cancel” it since that requires an equation which we don’t have.
Therefore, we need to first factor a 2 out of the expression as follows,
\[2{z^2} - 12z = 2\left( {{z^2} - 6z} \right)\]We can now proceed with completing the square on the expression inside the parenthesis.
Show Step 2
Next, we’ll need the number we need to add onto the expression inside the parenthesis. We’ll need the coefficient of the \(z\) to do this. The number we need is,
\[{\left( {\frac{{ - 6}}{2}} \right)^2} = {\left( { - 3} \right)^2} = 9\]Show Step 3
To complete the square all we need to do then is add this to the expression inside the parenthesis and factor the result. Doing this gives,
\[\require{color}\require{bbox} \bbox[2pt,border:1px solid black]{{2{z^2} - 12z = 2\left( {{z^2} - 6z \,{\color{Red} + 9}} \right) = 2{{\left( {z - 3} \right)}^2}}}\]Be careful when the coefficient of the squared term is not a one! In order to get the correct answer to completing the square we must have a coefficient of one on the squared term!