Question

A quadratic equation is shown below:x^2 + 18x + 76 = 0Which of the following is the first correct step to write the above equation in the form (x-p)^2 = q, when p and q are integers? A. Add 9 to both sides of the equationB. Add 5 to both sides of the equationC. Subtract 5 from both sides of the equationD. Subtract 9 from both sides of the equation.

Answer 1

SOLUTION:

$\begin{gathered} x^2\text{ + 18x + 76 = 0} \\ To\text{ make left hand p}\operatorname{erf}ect\text{ square, we add 5 to both sides} \\ x^2\text{ + 18x + 76 + 5 = 0 + 5} \\ x^2\text{ + 18x + 81 = 5} \\ x^2\text{ }+18x+9^2\text{ = 5} \\ (x+9)^2\text{ = 5} \end{gathered}$

The correct option B, that is, add 5 to both sides of the equation.