Complete the square. Fill in the number that makes the polynomial a perfect-square quadratic.
p2 + 16p + blank?
The number that makes the polynomial a perfect-square quadratic is 64.
Explanation: To complete the square, take half of the coefficient of the linear term (16/2 = 8) and square it (8^2 = 64). Add this number to the polynomial, but also subtract it to keep the expression balanced.
p^2 + 16p + 64 - 64 = (p + 8)^2 - 64