Question

Solve the equation by completing the

Answer 1

Answer:

s ≈ - 0.5 , s ≈ 8.5

Step-by-step explanation:

s² - 8s - 4 = 0 ( add 4 to both sides )

s² - 8s = 4

To complete the square

add ( half the coefficient of the s- term )² to both sides

s² + 2(- 4)s + 16 = 4 + 16

(s - 4)² = 20 ( take square root of both sides )

s - 4 = ± $\sqrt{20}$ ( add 4 to both sides )

s = 4 ± $\sqrt{20}$

Then

s = 4 - $\sqrt{20}$ ≈ - 0.5 ( to the nearest tenth ) ← smaller solution

s = 4 + $\sqrt{20}$ ≈ 8.5 ( to the nearest tenth ) ← larger solution