Expand and simplify (x-7)^2
- Write out the question fully like so: =(x-7)(x-7) 2. Expand the brackets using the FOIL method. i.e First Outer Inner Last or the Crab Claw Method You should get: = x^2 - 7x - 7x + 49 Be careful with signs, remember that a negative number multiplied by a negative number makes a positive number 3. Collect terms together i.e. simplify = x^2 - 14x + 49
