Because the coefficient of x^2 is -1, we know that a will be -1. Knowing that the coefficient of x is -4, we can calculate that p=2. Thus, we have -1(x+2)^2+q is our equation. This is equal to -x^2-4x-4+q. As the constant term must be 2, we can then see that q is 6.
As such, we have -1(x+2)^2+6=0 as our factorization.
To solve this equation, we can use the quadratic formula. Plugging in values, we have:
[tex] \frac{4+-2 \sqrt{6} }{-2} [/tex]
which is equal to: (when the fraction is simplified)
[tex]-2+- \sqrt{6}[/tex]
