x = 1
Step-by-step explanation:
Please express exponentiation using the symbol  " ^ "  :  x^2 - 8x + 7 = 0
Let's solve this equations using "completing the square:"
x^2 - 8x + 7 = 0
1) Identify the coefficient of the x term. Â Here it's -8.
2) take half of that and square it:  we get (-4)² = 16
3) insert " +16 - 16 " between the 8x and the 7:
    x^2 - 8x +  16 - 16  +7 = 0
4) Â Rewrite this perfect square:
     (x - 4)² - 16 + 7 = 0  ->  (x - 4)^2 = 9
5) Â Solve for (x -4) by taking the square root of both sides:
      x - 4 ± sqrt(9)   ->  x - 4 ± 3
6)  Solve for x:  x = 4  ± 3, or x = 7 and x = 1. Â
7) Â Take the lesser root of 7 and 1. Â That would be x = 1. Â Answer B is correct.