Solve for x in the equation x squared plus 2 x plus 1 is equal to 17

The left side is a perfect square: x² + 2x + 1 = (x + 1)². Thus (x + 1)² = 17, so x + 1 = ±√17. Subtracting 1 gives x = −1 ± √17, which matches choice A.

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