An expression in the form $$x^{2} - 2ax + a^{2}$$ can be factored as `____`.

Flashcard 1 - 11th Grade Mathematics: Number and Operations Flashcard Set for the SBAC

$(x - a)(x - a)$ or $(x - a)^{2}$

The negative middle term should be your clue that both factors have negative signs. The only form that can give $(x - a)(x + a)$ is $x^{2} - a^{2}$.

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