how to solve this problem by completing the square

Question

x²-10x+__

Answer 1

To complete the square, you take the value of b in the equation (in this case, b is -10), you divide it by 2, and square it. So you would do this:

 

-10/2 = -5

-5² = 25

 

Then you would take this number and add it to the problem with the missing term. So in this case, it would be:

 

x² - 10x + 25

 

Then you would factor it like this:

 

(x - 5)(x - 5)