Express
-2x^2 - 12x + 7 in the form a(x + b)^2 + c. - Scottish Highers Maths - Question 12 - 2023

Question 12

Express
-2x^2 - 12x + 7 in the form a(x + b)^2 + c.
Worked Solution & Example Answer:Express
-2x^2 - 12x + 7 in the form a(x + b)^2 + c. - Scottish Highers Maths - Question 12 - 2023
Identify common factor

Only available for registered users.
Sign up now to view full answer, or log in if you already have an account!
The expression is
-2(x^2 + 6x) + 7.
We can factor out -2 from the first two terms.
Complete the square

Only available for registered users.
Sign up now to view full answer, or log in if you already have an account!
Next, we complete the square for the expression inside the parentheses:
- Take half of 6, which is 3, and square it to get 9.
- This gives us:
-2(x^2 + 6x + 9 - 9) + 7 = -2((x + 3)^2 - 9) + 7.
Process for c and write in required form

Only available for registered users.
Sign up now to view full answer, or log in if you already have an account!
Now we simplify:
-2((x + 3)^2 - 9) + 7 = -2(x + 3)^2 + 18 + 7 = -2(x + 3)^2 + 25.
Thus, in the form a(x + b)^2 + c, we have:
a = -2, b = 3, c = 25.
Join the Scottish Highers students using SimpleStudy...
97% of StudentsReport Improved Results
98% of StudentsRecommend to friends
100,000+ Students Supported
1 Million+ Questions answered
;