From b455560167ab8c64e49994cf7d1de2d19cbada87 Mon Sep 17 00:00:00 2001 From: Kenneth Odle Date: Mon, 17 Jul 2023 10:29:42 -0400 Subject: [PATCH] Added note for step 3 --- complete-the-square.tex | 2 ++ 1 file changed, 2 insertions(+) diff --git a/complete-the-square.tex b/complete-the-square.tex index 5b3dee2..36a3664 100644 --- a/complete-the-square.tex +++ b/complete-the-square.tex @@ -144,6 +144,8 @@ Here is the general procedure: \item If the value for $a$ is \textit{not} 1, divide both sides of the equation by $a$. (We want the $x^2$ term to be by itself.) \item Move the constant term to the right side of the equation. \item Divide $b$ by 2, square it, and add it to both sides of equation. + +(\textbf{Note:} If dividing by 2 results in a fraction, leave it as a square. That is, leave it as $(\frac{5}{2})^2$ rather than doing the math and arriving at $\frac{25}{4}$. This will make step four easier.) \item Write the left side as a perfect square. \item Take the square root of both sides. \item Solve for $x$.