Completing the Square
The process of converting from standard form to
vertex form involves focusing on the first two terms of the trinomial, with the goal of ultimately generating a perfect square trinomial. There are a number of things to watch for along the way; one is the value of
\(a\), another is to remember that when you add something to a function, you must also subtract the same so as not to change the function. Adding and subtracting the same amount is like adding zero to the function. Follow the process through some examples.