Answer
$x= 2$
Work Step by Step
$(x + 7)(x - 1) = (x+1)^{2}$
The simplest and fastest way to solve this equation is by expanding and then simplifying.
$x^{2} + 7x - x - 7 = x^{2} + 2x + 1$
$x^{2} + 6x - 7 = x^{2} + 2x + 1$
$x^{2} - x^{2} + 6x - 2x = 1 + 7$
$ 4x = 8$
$ x = 2$
