Completing the Square: ex. x2 + 10x + 5 = 0 x2 + 10x = -5 subtract 5 to both sides. x2 + 10x + 25 = -5 + 25 half of 10 squared, ( 10 ÷ 2 = 5; 52 = 25) added to both sides. (x + 5)2 = 20 factor x2 + 10x + 25. x2 + 14x - 3 = 0 x2 + 14x = 3 add 3 to both sides. x2 + 14x + 49 = 3 + 49 half of 14 squared, ( 14 ÷ 2 = 7; 72 = 49) added to both sides. ( x + 7 )2 = 52 factor x + 14x + 49. 3x + 6x + 7 = 0 3x + 6x = -7 3( x + 2x ) = -7 3( x + 2x + 1) = -7 + 1 3(x + 1)2 = -6 multiply 1/3 to both sides