Look at the following square:
Which expression represents its area?
We have hundreds of course questions with personalized recommendations + Account 100% premium
Look at the following square:
Which expression represents its area?
Remember that the area of the square is equal to the side of the square raised to the 2nd power.
Formula for the area of the square:
We substitute our values into the formula:
Look at the square below:
What is the area of the square?
The parentheses are crucial because you must square the entire side length expression. Without them, only the 'b' would be squared, giving you a - b² instead of the correct (a-b)².
Great question! Since we're squaring, both expressions equal the same value: (a-b)² = (b-a)². However, the problem shows the side as 'a-b', so we use (a-b)² to match.
The diagram shows four equal sides and right angles at each corner. All sides are labeled with the same length 'a-b', which confirms it's a square.
In geometry, side lengths must be positive. This means a > b in this problem. However, (a-b)² will always be positive regardless!
Mathematically, (b-a)² equals (a-b)² since both are squared. But the correct answer matches the given information in the diagram, which shows the side as 'a-b'.
Get unlimited access to all 18 Square for 9th Grade questions, detailed video solutions, and personalized progress tracking.
Unlimited Video Solutions
Step-by-step explanations for every problem
Progress Analytics
Track your mastery across all topics
Ad-Free Learning
Focus on math without distractions
No credit card required • Cancel anytime