To solve the quadratic equation \(x^2 + 2x - 8 = 0\) by completing the square, we follow these steps:
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Move the constant term to the right side of the equation:
\[ x^2 + 2x = 8 \]
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Take half of the coefficient of \(x\) (which is 2), square it, and add it to both sides. Half of 2 is 1 and \(1^2 = 1\):
\[ x^2 + 2x + 1 = 8 + 1 \]
This simplifies to:
\[ (x + 1)^2 = 9 \]
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Take the square root of both sides:
\[ x + 1 = \pm 3 \]
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Solve for \(x\):
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For the positive case:
\[ x + 1 = 3 \quad \Rightarrow \quad x = 3 - 1 = 2 \]
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For the negative case:
\[ x + 1 = -3 \quad \Rightarrow \quad x = -3 - 1 = -4 \]
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Thus, the solutions to the equation are \(x = 2\) and \(x = -4\).
The correct response is:
x=2, x=−4
x equals 2, x equals negative 4.