quadratic

The given quadratic equation is $ax^2 + 8x + 4 = 6x - 40$. First, simplify it to standard form.

$ax^2 + 8x + 4 = 6x - 40 \\ ax^2 + 2x + 44 = 0$

Now, we can use the discriminant of a quadratic, which gives information about the number of solutions. In order for the quadratic to have only one solution, the discriminant should be equal to 0.

$D = 0 \\ b^2 - 4ac = 0 \\ 2^2 - 4 * a * 44 \\ 4 - 176a = 0 \\ 176a = 4 \\ a = \frac{4}{176} \\ a = \frac{1}{44}$

(2x + 2)(2x + 2) = 0   so   a = 4