a^2 - 5a = -4 Take one half of the red number, then square what you get. What's one half of - 5? It'stimes -5 or -2.5, right? That's one of the choices, but that's a wrong choice. So is 2.5 a wrong choice. Those are wrong because you have to square -2.5. What's -2.5 squared? It's not -6.25 (even though that's listed as a choice, but it's also a wrong choice). That's because when you square a negative number you get a positive number, not a negative number. So what's the only correct choice? Bet you know now. :) Edwin