16Hit1600
Advanced MathHardSquaring a binomial with a square root

Advanced Math practice question

For x ≥ 0, which expression is equivalent to (√x + 2)²?

  1. A. x + 4√x + 4Correct
  2. B. x + 4
  3. C. x + 2√x + 4
  4. D. x + 4√x + 2

Answer: A. x + 4√x + 4

(√x + 2)² = (√x)² + 2 · √x · 2 + 2² = x + 4√x + 4.

Why the other answers are wrong

B. x + 4
x + 4 drops the middle term; a binomial squared always has one.
C. x + 2√x + 4
The middle term is 2 · 2 · √x = 4√x, not 2√x.
D. x + 4√x + 2
The constant is 2² = 4, not 2.

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