Question

Which of the following is equivalent to (x - 2)^2

(x - 2)(x+2)
(2-2)(x - 2)
(x-2)(x+2)

Answer 1

(x-2)(x-2) or (x+2)(x+2)

Explanation:

since you are squaring it, technically the terms are negative, but the product will be positive. when you multiply two negative factors, you get a positive answer. so either both can be negative or both can be positive.