# Math Help - factoring problem.

1. ## factoring problem.

(x+y)^2+2(x+y)+1

can some explain how they came to that? thanks a lot

2. Originally Posted by math69
(x+y)^2+2(x+y)+1

can some explain how they came to that? thanks a lot
put x+y=a and now try.

3. i guess your going to have to spell it out for me, tried it and still confused

4. Originally Posted by math69
i guess your going to have to spell it out for me, tried it and still confused
What did you try? Spell it out. Where are you stuck?

5. ## factor

i dont even get where to start, everything i learned in algebra so far would tell me to distribute that 2 into the (x+y) or at least add that 2 and 1 together through communative property, but on my little algebra helper program it goes a different route that iam not familiar with and the answer doesnt make sense to me, was hoping for a human to explain it step by step, thanks for any help

6. Originally Posted by math69
i dont even get where to start, everything i learned in algebra so far would tell me to distribute that 2 into the (x+y) or at least add that 2 and 1 together through communative property, but on my little algebra helper program it goes a different route that iam not familiar with and the answer doesnt make sense to me, was hoping for a human to explain it step by step, thanks for any help
you know that $a^2+2a+1=(a+1)^2$
now put x+y=a in the original problem.

7. ahh i see its a special product, i see, kind of decieving when your taught to distribute first all the time, thanks so much

8. Originally Posted by math69
i dont even get where to start, everything i learned in algebra so far would tell me to distribute that 2 into the (x+y) or at least add that 2 and 1 together through communative property, but on my little algebra helper program it goes a different route that iam not familiar with and the answer doesnt make sense to me, was hoping for a human to explain it step by step, thanks for any help
"put x+y=a" was the first thing post #2 said to do. Did you bother to even try doing this!?

Then you were told "and now try". Did you?