To solve the quadratic equation x² - 4x - 1 = 0 by completing the square, we can follow these steps:
1. Move the constant term to the right side of the equation:
x² - 4x = 1
2. Take half of the coefficient of x, square it, and add it to both sides of the equation:
x² - 4x + (-4/2)² = 1 + (-4/2)²
x² - 4x + 4 = 1 + 4
x² - 4x + 4 = 5
3. Factor the left side of the equation as a perfect square:
(x - 2)² = 5
4. Take the square root of both sides of the equation:
5. Solve for x:
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