Expanding (x+4)² into a Trinomial
The expression (x+4)² represents the square of a binomial, which can be expanded into a trinomial in standard form. Here's how to do it:
Understanding the Process
The expression (x+4)² is equivalent to multiplying the binomial (x+4) by itself:
(x+4)² = (x+4)(x+4)
To expand this, we can use the FOIL method (First, Outer, Inner, Last):
- First: Multiply the first terms of each binomial: x * x = x²
- Outer: Multiply the outer terms of each binomial: x * 4 = 4x
- Inner: Multiply the inner terms of each binomial: 4 * x = 4x
- Last: Multiply the last terms of each binomial: 4 * 4 = 16
Now we combine the terms:
x² + 4x + 4x + 16
Finally, we combine the like terms:
x² + 8x + 16
Standard Form
The trinomial x² + 8x + 16 is in standard form, where the terms are arranged in descending order of their exponents.
This process can be generalized for any binomial squared:
(a + b)² = a² + 2ab + b²
Remember that the middle term of the trinomial is always twice the product of the two terms in the binomial.