Express (x + 9)2 as a trinomial in standard form.
The Correct Answer and Explanation is :
To express ((x + 9)^2) as a trinomial in standard form, we will expand the expression step-by-step using the formula for squaring a binomial, which states that:
[
(a + b)^2 = a^2 + 2ab + b^2
]
In our case, (a = x) and (b = 9). We can now apply the formula:
- Calculate (a^2):
[
a^2 = x^2
] - Calculate (2ab):
[
2ab = 2 \cdot x \cdot 9 = 18x
] - Calculate (b^2):
[
b^2 = 9^2 = 81
]
Now we can combine these results into a single expression:
[
(x + 9)^2 = x^2 + 18x + 81
]
So, the trinomial in standard form is:
[
x^2 + 18x + 81
]
Explanation
To understand the expansion process, it’s essential to recognize what squaring a binomial entails. When you square a binomial, you are multiplying the binomial by itself, which requires using the distributive property. This means each term in the first binomial multiplies each term in the second binomial.
For ((x + 9)(x + 9)), we perform the following calculations:
- Multiply (x) by (x) to get (x^2).
- Multiply (x) by (9) to get (9x).
- Multiply (9) by (x) to get another (9x).
- Multiply (9) by (9) to get (81).
Next, we combine the like terms (9x) and (9x) to get (18x). The final expression, (x^2 + 18x + 81), is in standard form, which is characterized by the order of terms from highest degree to lowest degree (in this case, (x^2), (x), and the constant).
This method of expansion is not only fundamental for algebra but also helps in various applications, such as solving quadratic equations or graphing parabolas.