x^2y^2-12xy+36=

Question

I need to know how to work this problem step by step.

Answer 1

You need to first determine that the first and last numbers are squares. Since they are, the problem can be re-written as:

(xy)² -12xy + (6)²

Which leads you to the answer (xy-6)². 

 

Answer 2

Let u = xy

u^2 - 12u + 36 = (u-6)^2 <==Attn: This is a perfect square.

Plug in u = xy,

x^2y^2-12xy+36 = (xy-6)^2 <==Answer