how do I solve this?

Question

determine the values of a such that f(x)=ax^2+4x if x≤-1 is continuous for all real numbers x.

=2x-a if x>-1

Answer 1

f(x) is continuous for all values of x.

The conditional clause (after the "if") does not make sense.

What effect does the "2x - a if x > -1" (not a complete equation) have on the first part.