What is the first step when rewriting y is equal to negative 4 x squared plus 2 x minus 7 in the form y is equal to A times open paren x minus h close paren squared plus k ?

To complete the square, first group the terms containing x and factor out the coefficient of x². In y = −4x² + 2x − 7, factor −4 from −4x² + 2x, leaving y = −4(x² − ½x) − 7. So the first step is to factor −4 from −4x² + 2x.

AI-written and checked against the verified answer.