When we started the unit on quadratics, I had difficulty completing the square with an "a" value not equal to one, and a "b" value not divisible by "a". The work required to answer these problems often dealt with messy fractions, which took a lot of patience. I also had a hard time remembering to multiply the magic "c" value by the "a" value on the outside of the parentheses. For example, I hard time completing the square on the equation 4x^2+13x-7=26. After adding 7 to both sides, and finding the magic "c" value, you are left with 4(x^2+(13/4)x+(196/16))=33. It is the messy fraction (196/16) that I had a hard time remebering to multiply by 4, before adding to the other side. After doing lots of practice problems and referencing my notes, I finally got it! After I knew what I was doing, I felt a great sense of accomplishment. My hard work paid off, and I was relieved that I could complete the square when the "a" value is not equal to one. Now that I have got my confidence back, hopefully I can continue to work through difficult problems in the future.
Blake
I'm glad the confidence is coming around for you! Keep up the hard work.
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