Calculate (x²+4)²: Double Square Expression Expansion

To solve the expression $(x^2 + 4)^2$, we will follow these steps:

• Step 1: Identify the expression as a binomial $(a + b)$, where $a = x^2$ and $b = 4$.
• Step 2: Apply the binomial square formula: $(a + b)^2 = a^2 + 2ab + b^2$.
• Step 3: Substitute $a$ and $b$ into the formula.
• Step 4: Calculate each term in the formula.
• Step 5: Simplify to arrive at the final expanded form.

Let's execute these steps:
Step 1: Identify $a = x^2$ and $b = 4$.
Step 2: Apply the formula $(a + b)^2 = a^2 + 2ab + b^2$.
Step 3: Substitute to get: $(x^2)^2 + 2(x^2)(4) + 4^2$.
Step 4: Calculate each term:
- $(x^2)^2 = x^4$,
- $2(x^2)(4) = 8x^2$,
- $4^2 = 16$.
Step 5: Combine the terms to get the expanded expression: $x^4 + 8x^2 + 16$.

Therefore, the solution to the expression is $x^4 + 8x^2 + 16$.