Complete the square to re-write the quadratic function in vertex form: y = x² + 10x - 6

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Understand the Problem

The question is asking to complete the square for the given quadratic function and rewrite it in vertex form.

Answer

The vertex form is $$ y = (x + 5)^2 - 31 $$
Answer for screen readers

The vertex form of the quadratic function is

$$ y = (x + 5)^2 - 31 $$

Steps to Solve

  1. Identify coefficients

The given quadratic function is ( y = x^2 + 10x - 6 ).

Here, the coefficient of ( x^2 ) is 1, and we need to focus on the linear term ( 10x ).

  1. Complete the square for the quadratic part

To complete the square, take half of the coefficient of the ( x ) term (( 10 )), square it, and add/subtract it inside the equation.

Half of ( 10 ) is ( 5 ), and squaring it gives ( 5^2 = 25 ).

  1. Rewrite the quadratic part

Now we can rewrite ( x^2 + 10x ) as:

$$ x^2 + 10x = (x + 5)^2 - 25 $$

This maintains equality, as we're subtracting the ( 25 ) we added.

  1. Substitute back into the equation

Substituting back into the original equation, we have:

$$ y = (x + 5)^2 - 25 - 6 $$

  1. Simplify the equation

Now combine the constants:

$$ -25 - 6 = -31 $$

Thus, the equation becomes:

$$ y = (x + 5)^2 - 31 $$

  1. Final Vertex Form

The vertex form of the quadratic function is:

$$ y = (x + 5)^2 - 31 $$

This shows the vertex of the parabola is at the point ( (-5, -31) ).

The vertex form of the quadratic function is

$$ y = (x + 5)^2 - 31 $$

More Information

The vertex form of a quadratic function is ( y = a(x - h)^2 + k ), where ( (h, k) ) is the vertex of the parabola. In this case, the vertex is at ( (-5, -31) ). Completing the square helps us find the vertex easily and understand the graph's transformation.

Tips

  • Not correctly finding half of the linear coefficient: Make sure to always divide by 2 when obtaining half.
  • Forgetting to adjust the constant term: Remember to add and subtract the square value inside the function to keep the equation balanced.

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