Question

factor 100x^2-20x+1?

Answer 1

(10x-2)(10x+10)?

Answer 2

ok now it should be clear yes? what number squared gives 100, and what number squared gives 1?

Answer 3

10

Answer 4

and...

Answer 5

and 1

Answer 6

there. now you can write the answer

Answer 7

(10x+1)(10-1)

Answer 8

both +

Answer 9

x

Answer 10

but why?

Answer 11

don't forget the negative: (-10x+1)^2

Answer 12

it is a perfect square so both + as in
\[(10x-1)^2\]

Answer 13

sorry i meant both - my fault

Answer 14

if you multiply out
\[(10x+1)(10x-1)\] you get
\[100x^2-1\] this is the difference of two squares, not a perfect square

Answer 15

wait, do both these work?
(-10x+1)^2 and (10x-1)^2 are both solutions?