How do you turn equations into vertex form?

Step 1: Factor the coefficient a from the first two terms of the standard form equation and place it outside the parentheses.

Step 2: Divide coefficient of the x term inside parentheses by 2, then square that number.

Step 3: Add the number inside the parentheses, and then to balance the equation, multiply it by the factor on the outside of the parentheses and subtract this number form the whole quadratic equation.

Step 4: Simplify the equation by combining the terms at the end.

Step 5: Convert the term inside the parentheses to a squared unit of the form (x-h) ^2