Completing the square – every GCSE question

Simon

8 years ago

Completing the square questions are becoming more popular with GCSE maths, as the technique can be useful if you’re intending to study at a higher level. The main use is factorising and finding out the maximum and minimum values of a quadratic equation. Once you’re familiar with the method, completing the square becomes quite straightforward.

This video is a reminder of every type of GCSE maths question for completing the square, and is aimed at around grade 8/9.

0:00 Intro
0:30 General questions
8:55 Working with fractions
17:48 Coefficient of x squared
26:14 Solving in surd form

Here’s the questions: QT Completing the Square

Here’s the answers: QT Completing the Square ANSWERS

Top Tips!

● It’s just another way of factorising (if the equation is shown as equal to zero), although most questions will solve to ‘irrational roots’ meaning something including a plus or minus square root
● It’ll only work with a single value of x squared. Some questions will need you to divide through first.
● Always make sure you balance the equation if you’re factorising
● Some questions might involve fractions and you’ll need to check your calculations – decimals are not really used in these types of calculations

If you’d like to ask for any more detail, or you’re not sure about anything, please do ask a question in the comments section.

All best with your studies

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Completing the Square – Every Question for GCSE

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Here’s some earlier videos that might also be of interest:

Completing the square – solve in surd form GCSE maths level 8

Complete the square – solving in surd form GCSE maths question level 8

Completing the square – solve in surd form question GCSE maths level 8