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

Question

tkhunny · Answer

Have you considered $(a+b)^{2} = a^{2} + 2ab + b^{2}$  ?

anonymous · Answer

can you explain the problem plz cause i dont really get it @tkhunny

tkhunny · Answer

That is the action of a perfect square.  That's how they work.

You have the first two pieces.  How do you find the third?

tkhunny · Answer

Explore it a little:

$(x-1)^{2} = x^{2} - 2x + 1$

$(x-2)^{2} = x^{2} - 4x + 4$

$(x-3)^{2} = x^{2} - 6x + 9$

Are we getting close?

$(x-4)^{2} =$ ??

anonymous · Answer

im still confuse to be honest im sorry