factor trinomial as the square of a binomial

Question

Factor each trinomial as the square of a binomial:

x^2 - 8x + 16

Answer 1

x^2-8x+16

Compare a^2-2ab+b^2

a = x, 2ab = -8x, b^2 = 16

there fore b = 4

(a-b)^2 = (x-4)^2

x^2-8x+16 = (x-4)(x-4)

Factoring the given trinomial is (x-4)(x-4)