Question

How do you simplify `(-3-4i)^2`?

Answer 1

`-7+24i`

Explanation:

`(-3-4i)^2`

To square a binomial, rewrite the problem as the binomial multiplied by the binomial. Do NOT distribute the exponent!
`(-3-4i)(-3-4i)`

Distribute (FOIL)
`9+12i+12i+16i^2`

Combine like terms. `i^2=-1`
`9+24i+16*-1`

`9+24i-16`

`-7+24i`