1. your leading coefficient has to be 1 (nothing before the x^2). If there is you have to divide that out before you start. 2. Move your constant (the number without any x attached) to the other side of the equation 3. take 1/2 of the b term (the one with the x attached) and then square it and then add it to both sides 4. Factor the left side 5. Set each factor equal to 0 and solve
Here is an example:
4x^2-24x+20=0 The first term is not a 1 so we have to divide it out by 4 first x^2-6x+5=0 Move the 5 to the other side. It becomes negative. x^2-6x=-5 Take 1/2 of 6 (3) then square it (9) and add it to both sides. x^2-6x+9=-5+9 Factor the left side (x-3)(x-3)=4 (x-3)^2=4 To solve you need to square root both sides x-3=+/- x-3=+/-2 x=3+2=5 x=3-2=1 Those would be your two answers.
