Answer:
a = 13, b = - 3
Explanation:
Expand the left side and compare like terms on both sides
(3x + 1)(x - 2) ← expand using FOIL
= 3x² - 5x - 2
left side = 3x² - 5x - 2 + ax + b ← combine like terms
= 3x² + x(a - 5) + b - 2
right side = 3x² + 8x - 5
For the 2 sides to be equal then
a - 5 = 8 ( add 5 to both sides )
a = 13
and
b - 2 = - 5 ( add 2 to both sides )
b = - 3