Example

Completing the Square for n2+12nn^2 + \frac{1}{2}n

To complete the square for the expression n2+12nn^2 + \frac{1}{2}n, first identify the coefficient of the linear term, which is 12\frac{1}{2}. Then, find the square of half of this coefficient. Half of 12\frac{1}{2} is 14\frac{1}{4}, and squaring 14\frac{1}{4} results in 116\frac{1}{16}. By adding this constant, the expression becomes the perfect square trinomial n2+12n+116n^2 + \frac{1}{2}n + \frac{1}{16}. Finally, this trinomial is factored into the square of a binomial: (n+14)2\left(n + \frac{1}{4}\right)^2. This example demonstrates that the completing-the-square method applies consistently even when the initial linear coefficient is a fraction, yielding a smaller fractional constant in the perfect square trinomial.

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Updated 2026-05-15

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