Expanding (x-4)^2 into a Trinomial in Standard Form
The expression (x-4)^2 represents a binomial squared. To write it as a trinomial in standard form, we need to expand it using the distributive property (or the FOIL method).
Expanding the Expression
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Recognize the pattern: (x-4)^2 is the same as (x-4)(x-4).
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Apply the distributive property:
- Multiply the first terms of each binomial: x * x = x^2
- Multiply the outer terms: x * -4 = -4x
- Multiply the inner terms: -4 * x = -4x
- Multiply the last terms: -4 * -4 = 16
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Combine like terms: x^2 - 4x - 4x + 16 = x^2 - 8x + 16
The Trinomial in Standard Form
Therefore, the expanded form of (x-4)^2 as a trinomial in standard form is x^2 - 8x + 16.
Key takeaways:
- Standard form: A trinomial in standard form is written as ax^2 + bx + c, where a, b, and c are constants.
- FOIL method: This method helps remember to multiply each term in the first binomial by each term in the second binomial.
- Squaring a binomial: (a - b)^2 = a^2 - 2ab + b^2