Question

Factor the expression. x2 – 2x + 1 A. (x – 1)2 B. (x + 1)2 C. (x + 1)(x – 1)

Answer 1

(x – 1)^2

Explanation:

x^2 – 2x + 1

= x • x – 2x + 1 • 1

= x • x – 2(x • 1) + 1 • 1

= (x – 1)^2

Answer 2

A.

`{(x - 1)}^(2)`

EXPLANATION

The given expression is

`{x}^(2) - 2x + 1`

We split the middle term to obtain,

`{x}^(2) - x - x + 1`

Factor to obtain

`x(x - 1) - 1(x - 1)`

Factor further to get,

`(x - 1)(x - 1)`

This is the same as;

`{(x - 1)}^(2)`

The correct choice is A