Answer :

To solve the quadratic equation [tex]\( x^2 + x - 20 = 0 \)[/tex] by completing the square method, follow these steps:

1. Start with the original equation:
[tex]\[ x^2 + x - 20 = 0 \][/tex]

2. Move the constant term to the right-hand side:
[tex]\[ x^2 + x = 20 \][/tex]

3. To complete the square, we need to add and subtract the same value on the left-hand side of the equation. This value is [tex]\(\left(\frac{b}{2}\right)^2\)[/tex], where [tex]\(b\)[/tex] is the coefficient of [tex]\(x\)[/tex]. Here, [tex]\(b = 1\)[/tex]:

[tex]\[ \left(\frac{1}{2}\right)^2 = \frac{1}{4} \][/tex]

4. Add [tex]\(\frac{1}{4}\)[/tex] to both sides:

[tex]\[ x^2 + x + \frac{1}{4} = 20 + \frac{1}{4} \][/tex]

5. Rewrite the left-hand side as a perfect square and simplify the right-hand side:

[tex]\[ \left(x + \frac{1}{2}\right)^2 = 20 + \frac{1}{4} = \frac{80}{4} + \frac{1}{4} = \frac{81}{4} \][/tex]

6. Take the square root of both sides:

[tex]\[ x + \frac{1}{2} = \pm \sqrt{\frac{81}{4}} \][/tex]

7. Simplify the square root expression:

[tex]\[ x + \frac{1}{2} = \pm \frac{9}{2} \][/tex]

8. Solve for [tex]\(x\)[/tex] by isolating the variable:

[tex]\[ x = -\frac{1}{2} \pm \frac{9}{2} \][/tex]

9. Calculate the two solutions:

- For the positive case:
[tex]\[ x = -\frac{1}{2} + \frac{9}{2} = \frac{8}{2} = 4 \][/tex]

- For the negative case:
[tex]\[ x = -\frac{1}{2} - \frac{9}{2} = -\frac{10}{2} = -5 \][/tex]

Therefore, the solutions to the quadratic equation [tex]\( x^2 + x - 20 = 0 \)[/tex] are:
[tex]\[ x = 4 \quad \text{and} \quad x = -5 \][/tex]

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