Expand & Simplify: (x - 1)^2

To expand and simplify (x - 1)^2 we can think of this as (x - 1)(x - 1). We then can first multiply x by (x - 1) and then multiply -1 by (x -1). After that we can combine any like terms to simplify. We are essentially using the distributive property to expand and simply (x - 1)(x - 1).

Often the FOIL method is used to help students remember (but it's the same thing as described above). We multiply the first terms, then the outside terms, the inside terms and finally the last terms.

F ("first" terms of each binomial are multiplied together)
O ("outside" terms are multiplied: the first term of the 1st binomial and the 2nd term of the second)
I ("inside" terms are multiplied—second term of the first binomial and first term of the second)
L ("last" terms of each binomial are multiplied)

For both methods we end up with:
x2 - x - x +1
which we can simplify to:
x2 - 2x + 1

If you were to factor x2 - 2x + 1 you'd get (x - 1)(x - 1) which could be written as:
(x-1)^2

Expanding algebraic expressions is a key skill in mathematics.

[itsfoxx]

This is helpful... unlike some teachers...

[diazcoelho]

Thank you so much. These step by step videos are so helpful. 💙

[InnovativeSaint]

Wait, so is 1 x 1 = 2? Is Terrence Howard right?

[not_ana_navarro]

bro is a better teacher than my teacher