To complete the square and solve the equation \( x^2 + 2x - 8 = 0 \), follow these steps:
-
Move the constant term to the other side:
\[ x^2 + 2x = 8 \] -
Complete the square:
Take half of the coefficient of \( x \) (which is 2), square it, and then add it to both sides. Half of 2 is 1, and \( 1^2 = 1 \).
\[ x^2 + 2x + 1 = 8 + 1 \] This simplifies to:
\[ (x + 1)^2 = 9 \] -
Take the square root of both sides:
\[ x + 1 = \pm 3 \] -
Solve for \( x \):
- If \( x + 1 = 3 \), then \( x = 3 - 1 = 2 \).
- If \( x + 1 = -3 \), then \( x = -3 - 1 = -4 \).
So the solutions to the equation \( x^2 + 2x - 8 = 0 \) are: \[ x = 2 \quad \text{and} \quad x = -4 \]
Thus, the correct response is: x = 2, x = -4.