PrepWisePrepWiseMathematics
AlgebraMedium Exam FrequencyAQAEdexcelOCRWJEC

Completing the Square

Revise Completing the Square in Algebra for GCSE Mathematics with 10 exam-style questions and 3 flashcards. This topic appears regularly enough that it should be part of a solid GCSE revision cycle.

Study this topic

1

A Perfect Form

Introduction2

Method: When a = 1

Deep Dive3

Worked Example 1

Notes4

Worked Example 2: Negative b

Notes5

Worked Example 3: Finding Turning Point

Notes

Sample Flashcards

Completing the Square
(x + p)² + q form. Half the b term, square it
Completing Square Formula
x² + bx + c = (x + b/2)² − (b/2)² + c. Halve b, square it, adjust constant.

Sample Questions

To write x² + 10x + 3 in the form (x + p)² + q, what is the value of p?

  • A. 10
  • B. 5
  • C. 3
  • D. 25
1 markfoundation

Explain how you can tell from the completed square form whether a quadratic has a minimum or a maximum turning point.

2 markshigher

10

exam-style questions

3

revision flashcards

Ready to revise Completing the Square?

Get personalised daily study plans, adaptive quizzes, and spaced repetition flashcards.

Join Alpha

Previous topic

Quadratic Formula

Next topic

Simultaneous Equations