Need help on whether ____

[sterile forge]

My a from ax² is a negative
I’m trying to complete the square of -n² + 18n = -40

[sterile forge]

Because if I left the negative sign out of (n + 9)^2 like this: - (n + 9)^2

I would result in this:
-- (n^2 + 18n + 81)
-n^2 -18n - 81

can someone clear this up?

Btw the original question was n^2 = 18n + 40

[livid hare]

Ok from the original question, move the 18n to the n^2 side

Its easier to complete the square when a is positive

so its n^2-18n=40

So like you said to complete the square, you need to add 81 to both sides

And you did the factoring well so I think you can do the rest

[sterile forge]

Alright thank you

Im gonna keep this open in case i need clarification

Nvm I think i got it

[sterile forge]

Ty

.solved