Re: express a quadratic, in the form (x+a)^2 + b
- To: mathgroup at smc.vnet.net
- Subject: [mg84337] Re: express a quadratic, in the form (x+a)^2 + b
- From: "C.O." <costerhoudt at gmail.com>
- Date: Wed, 19 Dec 2007 23:55:57 -0500 (EST)
- References: <fkan3b$d6k$1@smc.vnet.net>
Something like
transform[equation_] :=
Module[{coeffs = CoefficientList[equation, x]},
{c, b, a} = coeffs; (x + b/(2*a))^2 + (c/a - (b/(2*a))^2)]
In[28]:= transform[x^2 + 4*x + 7]
Out[28]= 3 + (2 + x)^2
?
Note that this does not exactly return what you want, as the result is
not sorted in descending polynomial order.
Hope that helps a bit!
C.O.
On Dec 19, 2:08 am, "Joseph Fagan" <noemailple... at nowhere.ru> wrote:
> I'm a Mathematica beginner.
> I wish to express a quadratic, in the form (x+a)^2 + b
> eg to express x^2 + 4x + 7 as (x+2)^2 + 3
> Is there an easy way?
> Thanks
> Joe