[Tweaky]

Hey this is the question and this is what I've done so far:

Complete the square and find solution to x.

- 2x^2 - 9x - 7 = 0

- x^2 - 4.5x = 3.5

- (x-2.25)^2 + 5.0625 = 3.5

- (x-2.25)^2 = - 1.5625

- How do I square root the negative (even though you can't) - without using imaginary numbers, which I know nothing about yet.

I need two values for X ? Where the hell am I going wrong. Hopefully just a lil mistake.

[raheem94]

(Original post by Tweaky)
Hey this is the question and this is what I've done so far:

Complete the square and find solution to x.

- 2x^2 - 9x - 7 = 0

- x^2 - 4.5x = 3.5

- (x-2.25)^2 + 5.0625 = 3.5

- (x-2.25)^2 = - 1.5625

- How do I square root the negative (even though you can't) - without using imaginary numbers, which I know nothing about yet.

I need two values for X ? Where the hell am I going wrong. Hopefully just a lil mistake.

It should be (x-2.25)^2 - 5.0625 = 3.5.

You have written it as +ve.

[Tweaky]

(Original post by raheem94)
It should be (x-2.25)^2 - 5.0625 = 3.5.

You have written it as +ve.

No wait...

(x-2.25)(x-2.25) = x^2 -4.5x then (-2.25 x -2.25 is positive) So it is positive...?

[steve2005]

(Original post by Tweaky)
Hey this is the question and this is what I've done so far:

Complete the square and find solution to x.

- 2x^2 - 9x - 7 = 0

The obvious first thing to do, is to multiply throughout by minus one.

[raheem94]

(Original post by steve2005)
The obvious first thing to do, is to multiply throughout by minus one.

It isn't a negative sign, he is just putting them in front of all his lines.

[Tweaky]

(Original post by steve2005)
The obvious first thing to do, is to multiply throughout by minus one.

its not " -2x^2"

The - was a bullet point. If that's not what you meant, could you elaborate because I don't understand. Cheers man

[TenOfThem]

(Original post by Tweaky)
its not " -2x^2"

The - was a bullet point. If that's not what you meant, could you elaborate because I don't understand. Cheers man

Poor choice of "bullet"

[Tweaky]

(Original post by TenOfThem)
Poor choice of "bullet"

Great, but now you know could you help me please xx

[raheem94]

(Original post by Tweaky)
No wait...

(x-2.25)(x-2.25) = x^2 -4.5x then (-2.25 x -2.25 is positive) So it is positive...?

x^2 - 4.5x = 3.5





So it should be negative,

Do you get it?

[TenOfThem]

(Original post by Tweaky)
Great, but now you know could you help me please xx

No need for me to do so

Raheem has told you where you went wrong but you chose to argue with him

[Intriguing Alias]

(Original post by Tweaky)
.

You want x^2 - 4.5x on the LHS. So this is the same as writing (x-2.25)^2 + an adjustment. (x-2.25)^2 = x^ - 4.5x + 5.0625 so our 'adjustment' must be -5.0625 to cancel it out.

[Tweaky]

(Original post by TenOfThem)
No need for me to do so

Raheem has told you where you went wrong but you chose to argue with him

I just didn't understand.

[OMGWTFBBQ]

2x^2 - 9x - 7 = 0
x^2 - (9/2)x - (7/2) = 0
(x - 9/4)^2 - (9/4)^2 - (7/2) = 0
(x - 9/4)^2 - 81/16 - 7/2 = 0
(x - 9/4)^2 - 81/16 - 55/16 = 0
(x - 9/4)^2 - 136/16 = 0
(x - 9/4)^2 - 17/2 = 0
(x - 9/4)^2 = 17/2

Can you go from here?

PS. Use fractions where you can. It's better maths.

[TenOfThem]

(Original post by Tweaky)
I just didn't understand.

Then I suggest that you go and look at your notes on "completing the square" as you seem to have a basic mis-understanding of the process

[raheem94]

(Original post by Tweaky)
I just didn't understand.

Go to this link to learn this.

[Tweaky]

(Original post by hassi94)
You want x^2 - 4.5x on the LHS. So this is the same as writing (x-2.25)^2 + an adjustment. (x-2.25)^2 = x^ - 4.5x + 5.0625 so our 'adjustment' must be -5.0625 to cancel it out.

Sweet, yeah I get it now. Was a small error, cheers. And thanks Raheem. To the other two users, arrogance won't get you far in life.

[TenOfThem]

(Original post by Tweaky)

I didn't realize it was a crime to make a mistake and not understand someone straight away.

I simply pointed out the bullet was a bad choice

Your response was not polite ... and I pointed out that you already had the answer


I think you need to read responses to the question, think about them, and absorb the maths advice instead of jumping in and saying "no"



I will also re-iterate that you have demonstrated a lack of understanding re this topic and one question on here is not enough to redress that




And you gave me a neg .... I pointed out that someone had told you the answer and you negged me ... seriously?

[Tweaky]

(Original post by TenOfThem)
I simply pointed out the bullet was a bad choice

Your response was not polite ... and I pointed out that you already had the answer


I think you need to read responses to the question, think about them, and absorb the maths advice instead of jumping in and saying "no"



I will also re-iterate that you have demonstrated a lack of understanding re this topic and one question on here is not enough to redress that

Hey I'm sorry for being rude to you - I was annoyed with steve's comment as it was rude. So I was quick to jump to conclusions when reading your comments. So I'm sorry for that.

But I understand where I wen't wrong on that and have just finished 5 other completing the square questions, so I understand what I did wrong - Just made small mistake. But I apologize to you.

And thanks for everyone who answered the question.

[TenOfThem]

(Original post by Tweaky)

But I understand where I wen't wrong on that and have just finished 5 other completing the square questions, so I understand what I did wrong - Just made small mistake.

Fair enough


The error you made is the single most common mis-understanding in this topic so do make sure that you understand why and that you are not just copying Raheem's example

[Tweaky]

(Original post by TenOfThem)
Fair enough


The error you made is the single most common mis-understanding in this topic so do make sure that you understand why and that you are not just copying Raheem's example

I use my-maths.co.uk so I'll do the other homework on there