How do you factor the perfect square trinomial?

Consider this expression: x2-5x+6

And you know that it is a perfect square trinomial.

Therefore, you also know that there will be two parenthetical expressions that, when multiplied, will yield x2-5x+6. Keep this in mind throughout the process.

Start with the "skeleton". Draw your parentheses.

( )( )

Take the square root of the first number in the expression. In this case, x2.

(x )(x )

So now you're all set with the first value in the expression. Once you're sure that the square root is correct, you don't need to go back. ***(This is only true as long as there is no numerical value in front of the variable)

Next, think of numbers that, when added, will equal the middle value and that, when multiplied, will equal the third value. In this case, numbers that equal -5 when added, and 6 when multiplied. (You don't need to worry about the variable for the middle value. It does make its way into the unsimplified expression).

-2 and -3 are the values

So insert the values in the expression.

(x-2)(x-3)

Multiply the expression out to check the simplification

And done!