Which statement best describes the equation (x + 5)2 + 4(x + 5) + 12 = 0?

Let u = x + 5. Then the equation becomes u² + 4u + 12 = 0, which is a quadratic equation in u, so the original equation is quadratic in form. Expanding it gives a second-degree polynomial, not a fourth-degree one. Although this quadratic has no real solutions, that does not stop it from being quadratic in form.

AI-written and checked against the verified answer.