How to simplify binomials - PSAT Math

Card 0 of 2

Question

If 〖(x+y)〗2 = 144 and 〖(x-y)〗2 = 64, what is the value of xy?

Answer

We first expand each binomial to get x2 + 2xy + y2 = 144 and x2 - 2xy + y2 = 64. We then subtract the second equation from the first to find 4xy = 80. Finally, we divide each side by 4 to find xy = 20.

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Question

Which of these expressions can be simplified further by collecting like terms?

Answer

A binomial can be simplified further if and only if the two terms have the same combination of variables and the same exponents for each like variable. This is not the case in any of the four binomials given, so none of the expressions can be simplified further.

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