Solve the equation by completing squares

Question

^{a2 +2a-3=0}

Answer 1

OK, here's my way of doing this.

 

ax² + bx + c = 0

ax² + bx = -c

 

Take half of b, square it, and add it to both sides.

 

ax² + bx + (b/2)² = c + (b/2)²

 

Then, that half of b goes into your squared binomial. Take the square root of both sides.

 

a² + 2a - 3

a² + 2a = 3

a² + 2a + 1 = 3 + 1

(a + 1)² = 4

a + 1 = 2

a = 1