How do you factor this equation (x+1)^2-4=0

(x+1)^2 - 4 = 0

First multiply out the brackets:

(x + 1)(x + 1) = x^2 + 2x + 1, so

x^2 + 2x + 1 - 4 = 0
x^2 + 2x - 3 = 0

(x + 3 )(x - 1) = 0, so

x= -3, or x = 1

to factor:
(x + 1)^2 - 4 = 0
expand the squared binomial
(x^2 + 2x + 1) - 4 = 0
simplify
x^2 + 2x - 3 = 0
factor
(x - 1)(x + 3) = 0

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to solve:
(x + 1)^2 - 4 = 0
(x - 1)(x + 3) = 0
set each factor equal to 0 and solve for x
x - 1 = 0 >> x = 1
x + 3 = 0 >> x = -3
x = 1 and -3

(x+1)(x+1)-4=0
x^2+2x-3=0
complete the square