Simplifying the Expression (x-7)^2 + (x+5)(x-5)
This article will guide you through the process of simplifying the expression (x-7)^2 + (x+5)(x-5).
Understanding the Expression
The expression consists of two terms:
- (x-7)^2: This is a squared binomial, which means we need to multiply the binomial by itself.
- (x+5)(x-5): This is a product of two binomials in the form (a+b)(a-b), which is a special product known as the "difference of squares".
Simplifying the Expression
Let's simplify each term individually:
-
(x-7)^2:
- Expand the square: (x-7)(x-7)
- Apply the FOIL method (First, Outer, Inner, Last) to multiply the binomials:
- x * x = x²
- x * -7 = -7x
- -7 * x = -7x
- -7 * -7 = 49
- Combine like terms: x² - 7x - 7x + 49 = x² - 14x + 49
-
(x+5)(x-5):
- This is a difference of squares pattern, which simplifies to: a² - b²
- In this case, a = x and b = 5.
- Therefore, (x+5)(x-5) = x² - 5² = x² - 25
Combining the Simplified Terms
Now we have simplified both terms:
- (x-7)² = x² - 14x + 49
- (x+5)(x-5) = x² - 25
Combining these simplified terms, we get: (x-7)² + (x+5)(x-5) = (x² - 14x + 49) + (x² - 25)
Finally, we combine like terms: x² - 14x + 49 + x² - 25 = 2x² - 14x + 24
Conclusion
Therefore, the simplified form of the expression (x-7)² + (x+5)(x-5) is 2x² - 14x + 24.