Completing the Square – Edexcel IAL Pure 1 (Chapter 2.2) – Complete Lesson

A complete lesson on completing the square, for Edexcel IAL Pure Mathematics 1 (Chapter 2: Quadratics).

The lesson first shows where the method comes from, then works through it step by step. That includes the case when the coefficient of x² is not 1: factorise from the x terms only, leave the constant alone, complete the square inside the bracket, then expand. Students then use completed square form to solve equations in surd form and to find minimum and maximum values.

Includes (17 slides):

Learning objectives and a starter
A derivation of the method and a step-by-step method summary
Four worked examples with animated working
A “Spot the mistake” task and a common mistakes slide
Practice questions with answers
An exam-style question with an M1/A1 mark scheme
A plenary

Links to Exercises 2C and 2D. Editable PowerPoint. Free from Mr Edine Maths.