If using the method of completing the square to solve the quadratic equationX2 + 15x + 7 = 0, which number would have to be added to "complete thesquare"?

If using the method of completing the square to solve the quadratic equationX2 15x 7 0 which number would have to be added to complete thesquare class=

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ANSWER

225/4

EXPLANATION

To complete the square we want to write a part of the equation in the form:

[tex](a+b)^2=a^2+2ab+b^2[/tex]

The second term squared is the one we have to add to the equation in order to complete the square.

In this case, the coefficient of x is 15, so b is:

[tex]b=\frac{15}{2}[/tex]

And b²:

[tex]b^2=\frac{225}{4}[/tex]

If we add 225/4 to both sides of the equation:

[tex]x^2+15x+\frac{225}{4}+7=\frac{225}{4}[/tex]

We complete the square:

[tex](x+\frac{15}{2})^2+7=\frac{225}{4}[/tex]