1. Move the loose number to the other side.
2. Take half of the coefficient on the x-term, and square it. Add this squares value to both sides of the equation.
3. Convert the left side to squared form and simplify the right side.
4. Square-root both sides. Don't forget to put the "±" on the right-hand side.
5. Solve for "x" and simplify!
PROBLEM 1
I used to have a lot of trouble with completing the square, I would always rather solve by the quadratic formula. I just always forgot to take half of the term and then square it.
ADDITIONAL RESOURCES
http://www.algebrahelp.com/lessons/equations/completingthesquare/
