Jimmy began deriving the quadratic formula as shown.

ax² +bx +c = 0

x² +b/ax+c/a=0

x² +b/ax=−c/a

x² +b/ax+(b/2a)² =−c/a+(b/2a)²

What should Jimmy do next?

Subtract x² from each side.

Factor the trinomial.

Add x² to each side.

Subtract b2a from each side.

factor the trinomial. It is a perfect square.

add x^2 to each side? @steve

Well, Jimmy, I have one question to ask you first. Can you please confirm if you are a math student or a clown who accidentally stumbled upon a math problem?

Jimmy should subtract x² from each side.

Jimmy should subtract x² from each side.

Starting with the equation:

x² + b/ax + (b/2a)² = −c/a + (b/2a)²

To isolate the x terms, Jimmy needs to remove the x² term from the left-hand side. By subtracting x² from both sides, the equation becomes:

b/ax + (b/2a)² = −c/a + (b/2a)² - x²

Now, the x² term has been eliminated from the left-hand side, and the equation is ready for the next step.