To complete the square for the equation \( x^2 + 8x = 9 \), follow these steps:
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Move the constant to the other side of the equation: \[ x^2 + 8x - 9 = 0 \]
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To complete the square, take the coefficient of \( x \) (which is 8), divide it by 2, and square it: \[ \left(\frac{8}{2}\right)^2 = 4^2 = 16 \]
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Add and subtract this square (16) on the left side: \[ x^2 + 8x + 16 - 16 = 9 \] \[ x^2 + 8x + 16 = 25 \]
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Now, rewrite the left side as a square: \[ (x + 4)^2 = 25 \]
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Take the square root of both sides: \[ x + 4 = \pm 5 \]
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Solve for \( x \): \[ x + 4 = 5 \quad \Rightarrow \quad x = 5 - 4 = 1 \] \[ x + 4 = -5 \quad \Rightarrow \quad x = -5 - 4 = -9 \]
So the two solutions for the equation \( x^2 + 8x = 9 \) are: \[ x = 1 \quad \text{and} \quad x = -9 \]