Find the values of a and b such that

x^2-4x+9 = (x+a) ^2+b

a = - 2

b = 5

Step-by-step explanation:

We can identify the right side of the equation as completing the square. So, we simply complete the square for x² - 4x + 9 to find our answer,

Step 1: Isolate xs

x² - 4x = - 9

Step 2: Complete the square

x² - 4x + 4 = - 9 + 4

(x - 2) ² = - 5

Step 3: Move - 5 over

(x - 2) ² + 5

And we have our answer!