Question

Square each expression. $$(m+n)$$

Short answer

\((m+n)^2 = m^2 + 2mn + n^2\)

Step-by-step solution

Apply the formula for squaring a binomial

To square a binomial \(a + b\), you apply the formula \(a + b\)^2 = a^2 + 2ab + b^2. In this case, \(a = m\) and \(b = n\).

Key concepts

Binomial Theorem

The binomial theorem is a fundamental principle in algebra that provides a method for expanding binomials raised to any power, not just squares. It reveals the connection between the coefficients and the powers of the variables involved. When squaring a binomial like \(m+n\), the binomial theorem simplifies to the formula \(a+b\)^2 = a^2 + 2ab + b^2, which you can remember as: the square of the first term, plus twice the product of both terms, plus the square of the second term.

This pattern is not just a random rule; it's a specific case derived from the general binomial theorem, which involves Pascal's Triangle for larger exponents. Applying this theorem makes it much easier to square binomials without having to perform multiplication step by step. When working with higher powers, the theorem tells you exactly what each coefficient will be. For \(m+n\)^2, the coefficients according to the theorem are 1, 2, and 1, which are the second row of Pascal's Triangle.

Algebraic Expressions

Algebraic expressions are combinations of variables, numbers, and at least one arithmetic operation. In our case, \(m+n\) is an algebraic expression with variables \(m\) and \(n\). The expression represents a quantity that depends on the values that \(m\) and \(n\) might take. One of the most basic operations involving algebraic expressions is squaring, which can lead to a more complex expression.

Understanding how to handle these expressions mathematically is crucial for solving a wide range of problems in algebra. Once squared, the expression \(m+n\)^2 becomes \(m^2+2mn+n^2\), which showcases a fundamental aspect of algebraic expressions: combining like terms and simplifying. In this case, there are no like terms to combine, but the resulting expression shows each original term's contribution to the squared result. This process provides the building blocks by which algebraic expressions can be manipulated and solved within equations.

Polynomial Arithmetic

Polynomial arithmetic is the manipulation of polynomials which involves operations such as addition, subtraction, multiplication, and division. A polynomial is an algebraic expression that can have one or more terms. The expression \(m+n\)^2 results in a polynomial \(m^2+2mn+n^2\), which consists of three terms. What we've done is apply polynomial arithmetic to square the binomial.

In the context of the binomial theorem and squaring binomials, the arithmetic is slightly simplified as we're applying a specific formula. Yet, the process still requires an understanding of the distributive property and how to combine like terms, which is all under the umbrella of polynomial arithmetic. For example, to manually square \(m+n\), we'd multiply \(m+n\) by itself, distribute each term in the first binomial to each term in the second binomial, and simplify the result. The formula \(a+b\)^2 gives us a shortcut, bypassing the need for distribution step by step, but essentially, the underlying principle is the same.