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Factoring (x−5)2+6(x−5)+8(x - 5)^2 + 6(x - 5) + 8 Using Substitution

Factor the polynomial (x−5)2+6(x−5)+8(x - 5)^2 + 6(x - 5) + 8 using substitution.

Step 1: The binomial (x−5)(x - 5) appears in the middle term and is squared in the first term. Let u=x−5u = x - 5. Step 2: Substitute uu to rewrite the expression as a quadratic trinomial: u2+6u+8u^2 + 6u + 8 Step 3: Factor the trinomial. Find two numbers that multiply to 88 and add to 66. These are 22 and 44: (u+2)(u+4)(u + 2)(u + 4) Step 4: Replace uu with the original binomial (x−5)(x - 5): ((x−5)+2)((x−5)+4)((x - 5) + 2)((x - 5) + 4) Step 5: Simplify the contents of the parentheses: (x−3)(x−1)(x - 3)(x - 1)

The factored form is (x−3)(x−1)(x - 3)(x - 1).

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Updated 2026-06-18

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