16Hit1600
Advanced MathHardSum of two squared binomials

Advanced Math practice question

Which expression is equivalent to (x − 2)² + (x + 2)²?

  1. A. 2x² + 8Correct
  2. B. 2x²
  3. C. 2x² + 8x + 8
  4. D. x² + 8

Answer: A. 2x² + 8

(x² − 4x + 4) + (x² + 4x + 4) = 2x² + 8; the middle terms cancel.

Why the other answers are wrong

B. 2x²
2x² drops the constants 4 + 4.
C. 2x² + 8x + 8
2x² + 8x + 8 adds the middle terms instead of letting them cancel.
D. x² + 8
x² + 8 forgets to add the two x² terms.

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