Evaluate the expression for a = 5 and b = 12.

Question

b2 – 4a

A.
100

B.
4

C.
700

D.
124

Answer 1

To evaluate the expression \( b^2 - 4a \) for \( a = 5 \) and \( b = 12 \), we first need to calculate \( b^2 \) and \( 4a \).

1. Calculate \( b^2 \): \[ b^2 = 12^2 = 144 \]

2. Calculate \( 4a \): \[ 4a = 4 \times 5 = 20 \]

3. Now, substitute these values into the expression: \[ b^2 - 4a = 144 - 20 = 124 \]

Therefore, the result of the expression \( b^2 - 4a \) is \( 124 \).

The correct answer is D. 124.