The quadratic equation in its generic form is: ax2 + bx + c To complete squares we must add the following term: (b / 2) ^ 2 The equation is: ax2 + bx + c + (b / 2) ^ 2 We have the following equation: x ^ 2 - 5x + k = 7 By completing squares we have: x ^ 2 - 5x + (-5/2) ^ 2 = 7 + (-5/2) ^ 2 Rewriting: x ^ 2 - 5x + 6.25 = 7 + 6.25 Answer: A constant term should be used to complete the square is: 6.25
