Complete the square by writing 2t^2-36t-17 in the form a(t-h)^2+k.
Answers (2)
Quadratics are solved by factoring, but you can't solve something without an equal sign. Let's assume you meant 2t^2 - 36t - 17 = 0
Divide by 2: t^2 - 18t - 8.5 = 0
Rewrite: t^2 - 18t = 8.5
A big part of math is pattern recognition. A lot of homework is just fighting with stuff so you will remember the pattern when you see it again. The most common pattern is (x + a) * (x + b) = x^2 + (a + b)x + ab and the special case (x + a) * (x - a) = x^2 - a^2. When you spot the pattern you can just write the answer from memory.
Now study this page until it seems obvious: en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Polynomial_remainder_theorem
Add 81: t^2 - 18t + 81 = 89.5 (I chose 81 because it is the square of half of 18.)
Factor: (t - 9)^2 = 89.5
Rewrite: (t - 9)^2 - 89.5 = 0
And that below is another testimony for foregoing an examination of one's final answer being a bad idea in any mathematical branch:
(t - 9)^2 - 89.5 = t^2 - 18t - 8.5 != 2t^2 - 36t - 17
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