How do I solve this and put it in standard form?

Question

Write the following expression as a simplified polynomial in standard form.

(x-1)^2 -4(x-1)+8

Answer 1

Eva, I believe all the problem wants is that you multiply out the parentheses, and then combine like terms.

For example, (x-1)^2 = (x-1) * (x-1), all you do is use FOIL to get x² -2x +1. The next multiplication is -4(x-1). Once you have done that multiplication, combine “like terms”. That means, perform three additions:

. any/all terms in x²,

. any/all terms in x,

. any/all terms in numbers,

and add them together.

If you have any questions, please ask,

Ed

Answer 2

So the standard form of polynomials is

y = axⁿ + bx^n-1 + cx^n-2 + ... + d, where a is not equal to zero.

So you expand the the term and add or subtract the like term.

(x-1)² - 4(x-1) + 8 = x² + 1 -2x -4x +4 +8 = x² -6x +13

I hope this helps.