An alternative method to solve a quadratic equation is to complete the square. To solve an equation of the form \(x^2 + bx + c = 0\) consider the expression \(\left(x ...

The Mathematical Gazette is the original journal of the Mathematical Association and it is now over a century old. Its readership is a mixture of school teachers, college and university lecturers, ...

Rewrite \(y = {x^2} - 6x + 11\) in the form \(y = {(x - b)^2} + c\). To get \(b\) (the number inside the bracket), halve the coefficient (number in front) of the second term in the original equation.