what is the vertex of the equation y=x^2+2x-8

If the equation has the form:  y  =  ax² + bx + c,

the x-coordinate of the vertex is:  x  =  -b/(2a).

For the problem:  y  =  x² + 2x - 8, a  =  1,  b  =  2,  and  c  =  -8,

so, the x-coordinate of the vertex is:  x  =  -2/2  or -1.

Substituting this value back into the equation:  y  =  (-1)² + 2(-1) - 8  =  -9.

Putting this together, the vertex is:  (-1, -9).