Answer:
a = 6 , b = - 44
Explanation:
x² + 12x - 8
using the method of completing the square
add/subtract ( half the coefficient of the x- term)² from x² + 12x
x² + 2(6)x + 36 - 36 - 8
= (x + 6)² - 44 ← in the form (x + a)² + b
with a = 6 and b = - 44