Ifis identical to (x^2+x)^2+a(x^2+x)+b, then any value substituted for x in both will always give the same answer. Substituting x=0 in the first gives Substituting x=0 in the second gives So b=6 Substituting x=1 in the first gives Substituting x=1 in the second gives So 4+2a+b = 20, and since b=6 4+2a+6 = 20 2a+10 = 20 2a = 10 a = 5 So is identical to and we substitute a=5 and b=6: . And that's the form desired. To factor it let u = x²+x That factors as Substitute x²+x for u Edwin