Question

lie is solving the quadratic equation by completing the square.
$3x^2 + 18x - 8 = 0$
$3x^2 + 18x = 8$
what should lie do next?
\bigcirc write the polynomial as a binomial squared.
\bigcirc factor 3 out of the variable terms.
\bigcirc isolate the variable $x$.
\bigcirc add 8 to both sides of the equation.

Explanation:

To solve a quadratic equation by completing the square, the coefficient of \(x^2\) should be 1 for the variable terms. Currently, the equation is \(3x^{2}+18x = 8\), so the next step is to factor out the coefficient of \(x^2\) (which is 3) from the variable terms (\(3x^{2}+18x\)) to make the coefficient of \(x^2\) equal to 1 for those terms. The other options are incorrect: writing as a binomial squared is done after factoring out the coefficient and adjusting, isolating \(x\) is not the next step here, and adding 8 to both sides is not correct as we already have \(3x^{2}+18x = 8\) (we moved - 8 to the other side).

Answer:

B. Factor 3 out of the variable terms.