How do you factor the expression x^2 – 10x + 25 using the perfect square trinomial method?

Answer 1

Here's how you factor it:

( x )( x ) <---- the only way to get x^2 is x times x;

Now the second sign is positive so the factors have the same sign, which is negative,

per the cross term in the middle

(x - ??? )(x - ???? ) <--- now, we need 2 numbers that multiply to 25 but add up to 10

(x - 5)(x - 5)