CPM Homework Help : PCT Problem 6-60

Find $a$ and $b$ such that $2x^2+8x+a=$ $2(x+b)^2$ .

Step 1:

Expand the right side of the equation.

Answer 1:

$2x^{2} + 8x + a = 2x^{2} + 4bx + 2b^{2}$

Step 2:

Subtract $2x^{2}$ from both sides of the equation.

Answer 2:

$8x + a = 4bx + 2b^{2}$

Hint:

$8x$ needs to equal $4bx$ and a needs to equal $2b^{2}$ .