simplify (3x-2)^2

first expand to ___*___
the product is ___

1 answer

To simplify \((3x - 2)^2\), we first expand it using the formula \((a - b)^2 = a^2 - 2ab + b^2\).

Here, \(a = 3x\) and \(b = 2\).

  1. Calculate \(a^2 = (3x)^2 = 9x^2\).
  2. Calculate \(-2ab = -2(3x)(2) = -12x\).
  3. Calculate \(b^2 = (2)^2 = 4\).

Now combine these results:

\[ (3x - 2)^2 = 9x^2 - 12x + 4 \]

Thus, we have:

  • First expand to: \( (3x - 2)(3x - 2) \)
  • The product is: \( 9x^2 - 12x + 4 \)