What are they asking me to do here? Please help!?

Question

^ is exponent as in 2x squared and (x+2)squared=k

When solving 2x^2+8x-1=0 by completing the square, the equation may be written in the form: (x+2)^2=k Find k

Answer 1

They are asking you to complete the square.  

shift the -1 to the other side by adding one to both sides

then take one half of the 8x and square it

add that number to both sides

then simplify and you have your new equation

Example with this problem:

2x^2+8x-1=0

2x^2+8x=1

x^2+4x=1/2

x^2+4x+4=1/2+4

(x+2)^2=9/2

so, k=9/2

Answer 2

Your equation is x^2 + 4x - 1/2 = 0

Theirs is x^2 +4x +4 -k=0

Comparing, -1/2 = 4-k

                    k = 4 + 1/2 = 4.5 ANSWER