Question

How do you factor the expression `x² - 8x + 7`?

Answer 1

`x^2-8x+7=(x-1)(x-7)`

Explanation:

Consider the given expression:
`x^2-8x+7`

Use middle term splitting. Choose factors such that their product is +7 and sum (-8).
Thus, we get the numbers (-1) and (-7).
Then,
`x^2-x-7x+7`
`x(x-1)-7(x-1)`
`(x-1)(x-7)`