Spivak's Calculus: Chapter 1, Problem 18b (Quadratic determinant less than zero) The problem in question is as follows:
18b Suppose that $b^2 -4c \lt 0$. Show that there are no numbers $x$ that satisfy $x^2 + bx + c = 0$; in fact, $x^2 + bx + c \gt 0$ for all $x$. Hint: complete the square.
Trying to apply the hint, I began by constructing $b^2 - 4c < 0 \therefore (b-\frac{2c}{b})^2 - \frac{4c^2}{b^2} \lt 0$, but manipulating this ultimately just leads you to $b^2 \lt 4c$ which you didn't need to complete the square to get anyway.
The only other idea I had was that one could construct the quadratic equation beginning from the assumption that $x^2 + bx + c = 0$ and then go for proof by contradiction e.g.
$x^2 + bx + c =0$
$x^2 + bx = -c$
$x^2 + bx + (\frac{b}{2})^2 = -c + (\frac{b}{2})^2$
$(x + \frac{b}{2})^2 = \frac{b^2 - 4c}{4}$
$\therefore$ Given that for all real values of $x$ and $b$, $(x + \frac{b}{2})^2 \gt 0$, by transitivity of equality,  $\frac{b^2 - 4c}{4} \gt 0$
$\therefore 4(\frac{b^2 - 4c}{4}) \gt 4(0)$
$\therefore b^2 - 4c \gt 0$ for all x such that $x^2 + bx + c = 0$
But that still leaves the statement "in fact, $x^2 + bx + c \gt 0$ for all $x$" unproven, unless it's supposed to obviously follow, in which case I'm not seeing how.

What you are missing is that$$x^2+bx+c=\left(x+\frac b2\right)^2-\frac{b^2-4c}4.$$
