Complete the square to identify the vertex of y = x^2 – 16x + 14

1 answer

To complete the square for the quadratic equation \( y = x^2 - 16x + 14 \), follow these steps:

  1. Identify the necessary components: Start with the \( x^2 \) and \( -16x \) part.

    \[ y = x^2 - 16x + 14 \]

  2. Complete the square for \( x^2 - 16x \):

    • Take the coefficient of \( x \), which is \(-16\), divide it by 2, and then square it: \[ \left(-\frac{16}{2}\right)^2 = (-8)^2 = 64 \]
  3. Rewrite the equation:

    • Add and subtract 64 inside the equation: \[ y = (x^2 - 16x + 64) - 64 + 14 \]
  4. Simplify:

    • The expression \( (x^2 - 16x + 64) \) can be factored as \( (x - 8)^2 \): \[ y = (x - 8)^2 - 64 + 14 \] \[ y = (x - 8)^2 - 50 \]
  5. Identify the vertex:

    • The equation is now in the vertex form \( y = a(x - h)^2 + k \), where \((h, k)\) is the vertex.
    • Here, \( h = 8 \) and \( k = -50 \).

Thus, the vertex of the parabola represented by the equation \( y = x^2 - 16x + 14 \) is \((8, -50)\).