How do you factorise a² - a plus ¼?

Answer 1

The answer is: (a-1/2)(a-1/2) = (a - 1/2)2

explanation:

1. (a ) (a )

2. 1/2 x 1/2 = 1/4

3. -1/2 -1/2 also = -1

4. (a-1/2)(a-1/2)

Check:

FOIL - F=first O=outside I=inside L=last

Multiply first numbers in brackets: a x a = a²

Multiply outside numbers in brackets: a x -1/2 = -1/2a

Multiply inside numbers in brackets: -1/2 x a = -1/2a

Multiply last numbers in brackets: -1/2 x -1/2 = ¼

a² -1/2a -1/2a + ¼ => a² - a + ¼