Factor x^2-8x+16

Problem

x^2−8*x+16

Solution

1. Identify the structure of the quadratic expression x^2−8*x+16 which is in the form a*x^2+b*x+c

2. Recognize that the expression is a perfect square trinomial because the first term is x^2 the last term is 4^2 and the middle term is −2*(x)*(4)

3. Apply the formula for a perfect square trinomial, (a−b)^2=a^2−2*a*b+b^2 where a=x and b=4

4. Write the factored form as the square of a binomial.

Final Answer

x^2−8*x+16=(x−4)^2

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