Square of Sum Practice Problems - Formula (a+b)² Exercises

Master the square of sum formula (a+b)² = a² + 2ab + b² with step-by-step practice problems, solutions, and real-world applications for algebra students.

📚Practice Square of Sum Formula Problems
  • Apply the (a+b)² = a² + 2ab + b² formula to algebraic expressions
  • Expand binomial squares with variables and constants like (x+5)²
  • Identify and use the sum of squares pattern in polynomial expressions
  • Solve real-world problems using the square of sum shortcut method
  • Compare sum of squares with difference of squares formulas
  • Practice expanding expressions like (3+b)² and (X+9)² step-by-step

Understanding Square of sum

Complete explanation with examples

Sum of Squares

The sum of squares formula is one of the shortcut formulas, a key algebraic concept that helps express the sum of two squared terms:

(X+Y)2=X2+2XY+Y2(X + Y)^2=X^2+ 2XY + Y^2

That is, when we encounter two numbers with a plus sign (sum) and they are between parentheses and raised as an expression to the square, we can use this formula.

As mentioned, the formula is a shortcut, as it skips a step in the full solution:
(x+y)2=x2+xy+yx+y2=x2+2xy+y2(x + y)^2=x^2+xy+yx+y^2=x^2+ 2xy + y^2

Visual breakdown of abbreviated multiplication formulas: (a+b)² = a² + 2ab + b² and (a−b)² = a² − 2ab + b², with color-coded area models representing the expansion of binomials

Pay attention - The formula also works for non-algebraic expressions or combined combinations with numbers and unknowns.
It's good to know that it is very similar to the formula for the difference of squares and differs only in the minus sign of the central element.

Example:

(3+b)2=(3 + b)^2=
3×3+3×b+b×3+b×b=3\times3+3\times b+ b\times 3 + b \times b =
32+2(3b)+b2=3^2+2(3b)+ b^2 =
b2+6b+9b^2+6b+9

Detailed explanation

Practice Square of sum

Test your knowledge with 20 quizzes

Fill in the blanks:

\( (x+?)^2=x^2+?+25 \)

Examples with solutions for Square of sum

Step-by-step solutions included
Exercise #1

Choose the expression that has the same value as the following:

(x+y)2 (x+y)^2

Step-by-Step Solution

To solve this problem, we will use the formula for the square of a sum, which is (a+b)2=a2+2ab+b2(a+b)^2 = a^2 + 2ab + b^2.

Here, we identify a=x a = x and b=y b = y . Thus, our expression (x+y)2 (x+y)^2 can be expanded as follows:

(x+y)2=x2+2xy+y2 (x+y)^2 = x^2 + 2xy + y^2

Now we will match this expanded form with the given choices.

  • Choice 1: x2+y2 x^2 + y^2 - This is missing the middle term 2xy 2xy .
  • Choice 2: y2+x2+2xy y^2 + x^2 + 2xy - This matches the expanded expression.
  • Choice 3: x2+xy+y2 x^2 + xy + y^2 - The term xy xy doesn't match the required 2xy 2xy .
  • Choice 4: x22xy+y2 x^2 - 2xy + y^2 - The middle term has an incorrect sign.

Therefore, the expression that is equivalent to (x+y)2 (x+y)^2 is choice 2: y2+x2+2xy y^2 + x^2 + 2xy .

Answer:

y2+x2+2xy y^2+x^2+2xy

Video Solution
Exercise #2

Choose the expression that has the same value as the following:


(x+3)2 (x+3)^2

Step-by-Step Solution

We use the abbreviated multiplication formula:

x2+2×x×3+32= x^2+2\times x\times3+3^2=

x2+6x+9 x^2+6x+9

Answer:

x2+6x+9 x^2+6x+9

Video Solution
Exercise #3

4x2+20x+25= 4x^2+20x+25=

Step-by-Step Solution

In this task, we are asked to simplify the formula using the abbreviated multiplication formulas.

Let's take a look at the formulas:

(xy)2=x22xy+y2 (x-y)^2=x^2-2xy+y^2

 (x+y)2=x2+2xy+y2 (x+y)^2=x^2+2xy+y^2

(x+y)×(xy)=x2y2 (x+y)\times(x-y)=x^2-y^2

Taking into account that in the given exercise there is only addition operation, the appropriate formula is the second one:

Now let us consider, what number when multiplied by itself will equal 4 and what number when multiplied by itself will equal 25?

The answers are respectively 2 and 5:

We insert these into the formula:

(2x+5)2= (2x+5)^2=

(2x+5)(2x+5)= (2x+5)(2x+5)=

2x×2x+2x×5+2x×5+5×5= 2x\times2x+2x\times5+2x\times5+5\times5=

4x2+20x+25 4x^2+20x+25

That means our solution is correct.

Answer:

(2x+5)2 (2x+5)^2

Video Solution
Exercise #4

(x2+4)2= (x^2+4)^2=

Step-by-Step Solution

To solve the expression (x2+4)2 (x^2 + 4)^2 , we will follow these steps:

  • Step 1: Identify the expression as a binomial (a+b) (a + b) , where a=x2 a = x^2 and b=4 b = 4 .
  • Step 2: Apply the binomial square formula: (a+b)2=a2+2ab+b2 (a + b)^2 = a^2 + 2ab + b^2 .
  • Step 3: Substitute a a and b 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=x2 a = x^2 and b=4 b = 4 .
Step 2: Apply the formula (a+b)2=a2+2ab+b2 (a + b)^2 = a^2 + 2ab + b^2 .
Step 3: Substitute to get: (x2)2+2(x2)(4)+42 (x^2)^2 + 2(x^2)(4) + 4^2 .
Step 4: Calculate each term:
- (x2)2=x4 (x^2)^2 = x^4 ,
- 2(x2)(4)=8x2 2(x^2)(4) = 8x^2 ,
- 42=16 4^2 = 16 .
Step 5: Combine the terms to get the expanded expression: x4+8x2+16 x^4 + 8x^2 + 16 .

Therefore, the solution to the expression is x4+8x2+16 x^4 + 8x^2 + 16 .

Answer:

x4+8x2+16 x^4+8x^2+16

Video Solution
Exercise #5

(x+x2)2= (x+x^2)^2=

Step-by-Step Solution

To solve this problem, follow these steps:

  • Step 1: Identify the terms: Here, a=x a = x and b=x2 b = x^2 .
  • Step 2: Apply the square of a binomial formula: (a+b)2=a2+2ab+b2(a + b)^2 = a^2 + 2ab + b^2.
  • Step 3: Substitute the terms into the formula and simplify the resulting expression.

Now, let's work through each step:

Step 1: We have a=xa = x and b=x2b = x^2.
Step 2: The formula gives us: (a+b)2=a2+2ab+b2 (a + b)^2 = a^2 + 2ab + b^2

Step 3: Substituting a=xa = x and b=x2b = x^2 into the formula:

(x+x2)2=(x)2+2(x)(x2)+(x2)2 (x + x^2)^2 = (x)^2 + 2(x)(x^2) + (x^2)^2

This simplifies to:

x2+2x3+x4 x^2 + 2x^3 + x^4

Therefore, the expanded form of the expression (x+x2)2 (x + x^2)^2 is x2+2x3+x4\mathbf{x^2 + 2x^3 + x^4}.

This matches with choice 3 from the options provided.

Answer:

x2+2x3+x4 x^2+2x^3+x^4

Video Solution

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the square of sum formula in algebra?

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The square of sum formula is (a+b)² = a² + 2ab + b². This algebraic shortcut helps expand expressions where two terms are added together and then squared, avoiding the need to multiply (a+b)(a+b) manually.

How do you expand (x+5)² using the sum of squares formula?

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To expand (x+5)², apply the formula (a+b)² = a² + 2ab + b² where a=x and b=5. Step by step: 1) x² (first term squared), 2) 2(x)(5) = 10x (twice the product), 3) 5² = 25 (second term squared). Result: x² + 10x + 25.

What's the difference between sum of squares and difference of squares?

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The key difference is the middle term sign. Sum of squares: (a+b)² = a² + 2ab + b² has a positive middle term. Difference of squares: (a-b)² = a² - 2ab + b² has a negative middle term. Both formulas are abbreviated multiplication shortcuts.

Why is the square of sum formula called a shortcut method?

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It's called a shortcut because it skips the full multiplication step. Instead of expanding (a+b)(a+b) = a² + ab + ba + b² = a² + 2ab + b², you can directly apply the formula (a+b)² = a² + 2ab + b² to get the same result faster.

Can the sum of squares formula work with numbers and variables together?

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Yes, absolutely! The formula works with any combination of numbers and variables. For example: (3+b)² = 3² + 2(3)(b) + b² = 9 + 6b + b². You can also use it with expressions like (2x+7)² or (y+4)².

What are common mistakes when using the square of sum formula?

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Common mistakes include: 1) Forgetting the middle term 2ab, 2) Incorrectly calculating 2ab as ab instead, 3) Mixing up signs with difference of squares formula, 4) Not squaring both terms properly. Always remember all three components: a², 2ab, and b².

How is the square of sum formula used in real-world applications?

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The formula appears in geometry (calculating areas of squares with extended sides), physics (expanding kinetic energy equations), economics (compound interest calculations), and engineering (structural load calculations). It's essential for solving quadratic equations and factoring polynomials.

What grade level typically learns the square of sum formula?

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The square of sum formula is typically introduced in Algebra I (9th grade) as part of polynomial operations and abbreviated multiplication formulas. Students usually encounter it after learning basic polynomial multiplication and before tackling more complex factoring techniques.

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