Question

In the quadratic equation x2 - 8x + a = 0; what is the value, a, in order to form a perfect square?

Answer 1

hmmm what is a perfect square anyway?

Answer 2

A square is
the product of a rational number multiplied by itself.
the product of a polynomial multiplied by itself.

Answer 3

a quadratic is a perfect square if its determinant is zero.

Answer 4

if quadratic is
\[a x^2+bx+c=0,then~its~determinant=b^2-4ac\]