Completing the square in quadratic expressions

The  exercise appears under the Algebra I Math Mission. This exercise completes the square in an expression.

Types of Problems
There is one type of problem in this exercise:


 * 1) Complete the square in the expression: This problem provides a quadratic expression with leading coefficient of one. The student is asked to complete the square and write and equivalent expression.Ctsiqe1.png

Strategies
Knowledge of the process of completing the square would ensure accuracy and efficiency on this exercise.
 * 1) To complete the square, the desired number would be the coefficient of the linear term, divided by two, and then squared.
 * 2) If the linear coefficient is b and the constant term is c, the completed form will be $$ (x+\frac{b}{2})^2+(c-\frac{b^2}{4})$$.

Real-life Applications

 * 1) Completing the square in an expression, such as this exercise, allows a general quadratic to be written in vertex form which is a form that reduces the work needed to find the vertex of a quadratic.