The quadratic equation 2x^2-8x+1 = 0 has roots a and b. Find the value of a + b and ab

There is no need to solve the quadratic equation here. Use the formulae for the sum and product of roots where:

a+b = -b/a

and

ab = c/a

Therefore in this instance:

a+b = -(-8)/2 = 4 and ab = 1/2