Complete the square as an aid in graphing - y=x2+4x-2

Answer 1

x^2 +4x -2

take half the coefficient of the x term for your square

which gives you (x+2)^2 which you substitute in place

of x^2 +4x

but these terms are not equal (x+2)^2= x^2+4x +4

all you need to do then is subtract 4 so we have

(x+2)^2 -4 -2 which is (x-2)^2 -6

Answer 2

y=x²+4x+4-4-2=(x+2)²-6