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Question Complete the square to re-write the quadratic function in vertex form: \[ y=x^{2}-7 x+2 \] Answer Attemptiout of 2

Ask by Vaughan Long. in the United States
Mar 10,2025

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Tutor-Verified Answer

Answer

The quadratic function \( y = x^2 - 7x + 2 \) in vertex form is \( y = \left(x - \frac{7}{2}\right)^2 - \frac{41}{4} \).

Solution

1. Start with the quadratic function: \[ y = x^2 - 7x + 2 \] 2. Group the \( x \)-terms together: \[ y = \left(x^2 - 7x\right) + 2 \] 3. To complete the square, take the coefficient of \( x \), which is \(-7\). Half of \(-7\) is \(-\frac{7}{2}\). Square this value to get: \[ \left(-\frac{7}{2}\right)^2 = \frac{49}{4} \] 4. Add and subtract \(\frac{49}{4}\) inside the parentheses: \[ y = \left(x^2 - 7x + \frac{49}{4} - \frac{49}{4}\right) + 2 \] 5. Group the perfect square trinomial and combine the constant terms: \[ y = \left(x^2 - 7x + \frac{49}{4}\right) - \frac{49}{4} + 2 \] 6. The trinomial \(\left(x^2 - 7x + \frac{49}{4}\right)\) factors as: \[ \left(x - \frac{7}{2}\right)^2 \] So the function becomes: \[ y = \left(x - \frac{7}{2}\right)^2 - \frac{49}{4} + 2 \] 7. Express the \( 2 \) as \(\frac{8}{4}\) and simplify: \[ y = \left(x - \frac{7}{2}\right)^2 - \frac{49}{4} + \frac{8}{4} = \left(x - \frac{7}{2}\right)^2 - \frac{41}{4} \] 8. The vertex form of the quadratic function is: \[ y = \left(x - \frac{7}{2}\right)^2 - \frac{41}{4} \]

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The Deep Dive

To complete the square for the quadratic function \( y = x^2 - 7x + 2 \), start by focusing on the \( x^2 - 7x \) part. Take half of -7 (which is -3.5), square it to get 12.25, and then rewrite it as: \[ y = (x^2 - 7x + 12.25) - 12.25 + 2 \] This simplifies to: \[ y = (x - 3.5)^2 - 10.25 \] Thus, the vertex form is \( y = (x - 3.5)^2 - 10.25 \), with the vertex at (3.5, -10.25). If you're often stuck on completing the square, don’t fret! A common mistake is forgetting to adjust the constant after adding a perfect square. Always balance your equation by subtracting the square you added. It’s like making sure both sides of a seesaw are equal—keep your math stable!

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