How do you solve v^2 - 4v - 30 = 0 by completing the square?

1 Answer
Jun 3, 2016

v = sqrt34 +2 = 7.831 " " or v =-sqrt34 +2 = -3.831

Explanation:

Step 1. Move the constant to the other side.
v^2 - 4v " " = 30

Step 2: -4 is the coefficient of the x-term
Halve it and square it and add to both sides.

v^2 - 4v + 4 = 30 + 4

Step 3; The left side can be written as a binomial squared.

(v - 2)^2 = 34

Step 4. Find the square root of both sides.

v - 2 = +-sqrt34 " " rArr v= +-sqrt34 +2

Step 5. Do two calculations - once with the positive root and once with the negative root.

v = sqrt34 +2 = 7.831 " " or v =-sqrt34 +2 = -3.831