Understanding (b - 7)2: A Step-by-Step Guide
The expression (b - 7)2 represents a perfect square trinomial. It signifies the product of a binomial, (b - 7), multiplied by itself. Let's break down how to expand and simplify this expression.
Expanding the Expression
To expand the expression, we can use the FOIL method which stands for First, Outer, Inner, Last. This method helps us multiply each term of the first binomial by each term of the second binomial.
Here's how it works:
- First: Multiply the first term of each binomial: b * b = b²
- Outer: Multiply the outer terms of the binomials: b * -7 = -7b
- Inner: Multiply the inner terms of the binomials: -7 * b = -7b
- Last: Multiply the last term of each binomial: -7 * -7 = 49
Now, let's combine the terms:
(b - 7)2 = b² - 7b - 7b + 49
Simplifying the Expression
Finally, we combine the like terms to simplify the expression:
(b - 7)2 = b² - 14b + 49
Conclusion
Therefore, the simplified form of the expression (b - 7)2 is b² - 14b + 49. Understanding how to expand and simplify perfect square trinomials is essential for solving various algebraic equations and problems.