Fill in the gaps in the equation below by completing the square.

[tex]\[ x^2 - 6x - 1 = (x - \square)^2 - \square \][/tex]



Answer :

Sure, let's complete the square for the equation [tex]\( x^2 - 6x - 1 \)[/tex].

1. Start with the given quadratic expression on the left side:
[tex]\[ x^2 - 6x - 1 \][/tex]

2. To complete the square, we focus on the [tex]\( x^2 - 6x \)[/tex] part. We need to transform this expression into a perfect square trinomial. This is done by taking the coefficient of [tex]\( x \)[/tex] (which is -6), dividing it by 2, and then squaring the result:
[tex]\[ \left( \frac{-6}{2} \right)^2 = (-3)^2 = 9 \][/tex]

3. Now, rewrite the quadratic expression by adding and subtracting this square value (9):
[tex]\[ x^2 - 6x + 9 - 9 - 1 = (x - 3)^2 - 9 - 1 \][/tex]

4. Combine the constants:
[tex]\[ (x - 3)^2 - 10 \][/tex]

Therefore, the completed square form of the given equation is:
[tex]\[ x^2 - 6x - 1 = (x - \square)^2 - \square \][/tex]

Fill in the blanks:
[tex]\[ x^2 - 6x - 1 = (x - 3)^2 - 10 \][/tex]

So, the final answer is:
[tex]\[ x^2 - 6x - 1 = (x - 3)^2 - 10 \][/tex]

Thus:
[tex]\[ \square = 3 \quad \text{and} \quad \square = 10 \][/tex]