Algebraic Identity (a-b)2=a2-2ab+b2

Algebraic Identity

(a-b)2=a2-2ab+b2

Example 1

$$\textup{Expand } (x-2)^2 $$

Solution

\begin{align*} \because\;\;(a-b)^2&=a^2-2ab+b^2\\\\ \therefore\;\; (x-2)^2 &=(x)^2-2(x)(2)+(2)^2\\ &=x^2-4x+4\\ \end{align*}

Example 2

$$\textup{Expand } (m-7)^2 $$

Solution

\begin{align*} \because\;\;(a-b)^2&=a^2-2ab+b^2\\\\ \therefore\;\; (m-7)^2 &=(m)^2-2(m)(7)+(7)^2\\ &=m^2-14m+49\\ \end{align*}

Example 3

$$\textup{Expand } (3x-5)^2 $$

Solution

\begin{align*} \because\;\;(a-b)^2&=a^2-2ab+b^2\\\\ \therefore\;\; (3x-5)^2 &=(3x)^2-2(3x)(5)+(5)^2\\ &=9x^2-30x+25\\ \end{align*}

Example 4

$$\textup{Expand } (4y-1)^2 $$

Solution

\begin{align*} \because\;\;(a-b)^2&=a^2-2ab+b^2\\\\ \therefore\;\; (4y-1)^2 &=(4y)^2-2(4y)(1)+(1)^2\\ &=16y^2-8y+1\\ \end{align*}