Question

Factor the expression if possible.
(x+1)^2-25
with explanation please.

Answer 1

So expand this out first and what do you get?

Answer 2

not quite sure what you are asking

Answer 3

(x+1)(x+1)

Answer 4

(x+1)^2-25 = x^2 + 2x + 1 - 25
= x^2 + 2x - 24

Answer 5

Now factor that by finding the roots.

Answer 6

why not just factor it as a difference of two squares; then simplify

Answer 7

\[a^2−b^2=(a−b)(a+b)\]
where a=x+1 and b=5

Answer 8

Sure, that too.

Answer 9

\[(x+1)^2-5^2=(x+1-5)(x+1+5)=...\]

Answer 10

Ok I like it the way JamesJ did it...Mandoline it seems a little to complicated for me

Answer 11

Mandolino's way is actually more elegant, but a bit more confusing for beginners.

Answer 12

oh ok