To put an equation into (x+c)^2, we need to see if the trinomial is a perfect square. General form of a trinomial: ax^2+bx+c If c is a perfect square, for example (1)^2=1, 2^2=4, that's a good indicator that it's a perfect square trinomial. Here, it is, because 1 is a perfect square. To ensure that it's a perfect square trinomial, let's look at b, which in this case is 2. It has to be double what c is. 2 is the double of 1, therefore this is a perfect square trinomial. Knowing this, we can easily put it into the form (x+c)^2. And the answer is: (x+1)^2. To do it the long way: x^2+2x+1 Find 2 numbers that add to 2 and multiply to 1. They are both 1. x^2+x+x+1 x(x+1)+1(x+1) Gather like terms (x+1)(x+1) or (x+1)^2.
