Which of the following represents the factorization of the trinomial below?

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.

X² - 24x + 144

What are two numbers that multiply to 144 but add up to -24?

The answer is -12

Write out the factorization.

(x - 12)(x - 12) = x² - 24x + 144

Solution: C) (x - 12)²