Answer:
a = 4 , b = - 11
Explanation:
x² + 8x + 5
using the method of completing the square
add/ subtract ( half the coefficient of the x- term)² to x² + 8x
= x² + 2(4)x + 16 - 16 + 5
= (x + 4)² - 11 ← in the form (x + a)² + b
with a = 4 and b = - 11