Question

What is the first step when rewriting y=6x^2+18x+14 in the form y=a(x-h)^2+k?

Answer 1

Factor 6 from the first two terms.

Explanation:

By factoring out "a", you can better see what "h" needs to be.

1. y = 6(x^2 +3x) +14 . . . . 6 factored from first 2 terms
2. add the square of half the x-coefficient inside parentheses; add the opposite outside: y = 6(x^2 +3x +2.25) +14 -6(2.25)
3. rewrite as a square; combine the constants: y = 6(x+1.5)^2 +0.5