Complete the square to identify the two values that solve the following quadratic equation: x² + 8x = 9.

X = __

1 answer

To solve the equation \( x^2 + 8x = 9 \) by completing the square, follow these steps:

  1. Move the constant to the right side of the equation: \[ x^2 + 8x - 9 = 0 \]

  2. Rearrange it to the form suitable for completing the square: \[ x^2 + 8x = 9 \]

  3. To complete the square, take the coefficient of \( x \) (which is 8), divide it by 2, and then square the result: \[ \left(\frac{8}{2}\right)^2 = 4^2 = 16 \]

  4. Add and subtract this square (16) to the left side of the equation: \[ x^2 + 8x + 16 - 16 = 9 \] This can be rewritten as: \[ (x + 4)^2 - 16 = 9 \]

  5. Now, isolate the squared term: \[ (x + 4)^2 = 9 + 16 \] \[ (x + 4)^2 = 25 \]

  6. Take the square root of both sides: \[ x + 4 = 5 \quad \text{or} \quad x + 4 = -5 \]

  7. Solve for \( x \) in each case: \[ x + 4 = 5 \implies x = 5 - 4 = 1 \] \[ x + 4 = -5 \implies x = -5 - 4 = -9 \]

Therefore, the two solutions to the equation \( x^2 + 8x = 9 \) are: \[ x = 1 \quad \text{and} \quad x = -9 \]

Final answer: \[ X = 1, -9 \]