First you have to find the factors that 24 and 144 have in common. The factors must equal to 24 and also multiply to 144. The factor they have in common is 12. 12+12=24 and 12 * 12 =144.
Next, just substitute the numbers in the equation and you get.
(x-12)(x-12)
Simplify.
C. (x-12)^2
If you did distributive property, you would get the original equation.
If your team consisted of only you, your sister, and your mother, then your mother would have lost 17 pounds, and your sister would have lost 18 pounds.
