ACT Math · Polynomial and rational functions

Which is the complete factorization of x² + 14x + 49?

Which is the complete factorization of x2+14x+49x^2 + 14x + 49?

Answer and explanation

Answer: J: (x+7)²

The trinomial x2+14x+49x^2+14x+49 has x2x^2 and 72=497^2=49 as its first and last terms, and the middle term 14x=2⋅7⋅x14x=2\cdot7\cdot x is twice the product of xx and 77. So it is a perfect square trinomial: (x+7)2(x+7)^2, choice J. Choice F, (x+7)(x−7)(x+7)(x-7), expands to x2−49x^2-49, a difference of squares. Choice G, (x+14)(x+1)(x+14)(x+1), expands to x2+15x+14x^2+15x+14. Choice H, (x+49)(x+1)(x+49)(x+1), expands to x2+50x+49x^2+50x+49. Only (x+7)2(x+7)^2 gives the middle term of 14x14x and the constant of 4949.

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