Solve the Equation: (x-1)² = x²

Question

(x1)2=x2 (x-1)^2=x^2

Video Solution

Solution Steps

00:00 Find X
00:04 Use the shortened multiplication formulas to open the brackets
00:13 Simplify what we can
00:19 Isolate X
00:29 And this is the solution to the problem

Step-by-Step Solution

Let's solve the equation. First, we'll simplify the algebraic expressions using the perfect square binomial formula:

(a±b)2=a2±2ab+b2 (a\pm b)^2=a^2\pm2ab+b^2 We'll apply this formula and expand the parentheses in the expressions in the equation:

(x1)2=x2x22x1+12=x2x22x+1=x2 (x-1)^2=x^2 \\ x^2-2\cdot x\cdot1+1^2=x^2 \\ x^2-2x+1=x^2 \\ We'll continue and combine like terms, by moving terms between sides. Then we can notice that the squared term cancels out, therefore it's a first-degree equation, which we'll solve by isolating the variable term on one side and dividing both sides of the equation by its coefficient:

x22x+1=x22x=1/:(2)x=12 x^2-2x+1=x^2 \\ -2x=-1\hspace{8pt}\text{/}:(-2)\\ \boxed{x=\frac{1}{2}} Therefore, the correct answer is answer A.

Answer

x=12 x=\frac{1}{2}