Solution 2.3:1b

From Förberedande kurs i matematik 1

(Difference between revisions)
Jump to: navigation, search
(Ny sida: {{NAVCONTENT_START}} <center> Bild:2_3_1b.gif </center> {{NAVCONTENT_STOP}})
Current revision (14:07, 26 September 2008) (edit) (undo)
m
 
(4 intermediate revisions not shown.)
Line 1: Line 1:
-
{{NAVCONTENT_START}}
+
When we complete the square, it is only the first two terms, <math>x^{2}+2x</math>, that are involved. The general formula for completing the square states that <math>x^{2}+ax</math> equals
-
<center> [[Bild:2_3_1b.gif]] </center>
+
 
-
{{NAVCONTENT_STOP}}
+
{{Displayed math||<math>\Bigl(x+\frac{a}{2}\Bigr)^{2} - \Bigl(\frac{a}{2}\Bigr)^{2}\,\textrm{.}</math>}}
 +
 
 +
Note how the coefficient ''a'' in front of the ''x'' turns up halved in two places.
 +
 
 +
If we use this formula, we obtain
 +
 
 +
{{Displayed math||<math>x^{2}+2x = \Bigl(x+\frac{2}{2}\Bigr)^{2} - \Bigl(\frac{2}{2}\Bigr)^{2} = (x+1)^{2}-1</math>}}
 +
 
 +
and if we subtract the last "1", we obtain
 +
 
 +
{{Displayed math||<math>x^{2}+2x-1 = (x+1)^{2}-1-1 = (x+1)^{2}-2\,\textrm{.}</math>}}
 +
 
 +
To be completely certain that we have used the correct formula, we can expand the quadratic on the right-hand side,
 +
 
 +
{{Displayed math||<math>(x+1)^{2}-2 = x^{2}+2x+1-2 = x^{2}+2x-1</math>}}
 +
 
 +
and see that the relation really holds.

Current revision

When we complete the square, it is only the first two terms, \displaystyle x^{2}+2x, that are involved. The general formula for completing the square states that \displaystyle x^{2}+ax equals

\displaystyle \Bigl(x+\frac{a}{2}\Bigr)^{2} - \Bigl(\frac{a}{2}\Bigr)^{2}\,\textrm{.}

Note how the coefficient a in front of the x turns up halved in two places.

If we use this formula, we obtain

\displaystyle x^{2}+2x = \Bigl(x+\frac{2}{2}\Bigr)^{2} - \Bigl(\frac{2}{2}\Bigr)^{2} = (x+1)^{2}-1

and if we subtract the last "1", we obtain

\displaystyle x^{2}+2x-1 = (x+1)^{2}-1-1 = (x+1)^{2}-2\,\textrm{.}

To be completely certain that we have used the correct formula, we can expand the quadratic on the right-hand side,

\displaystyle (x+1)^{2}-2 = x^{2}+2x+1-2 = x^{2}+2x-1

and see that the relation really holds.