Question

How do you multiply `(a+b)^2`?

Answer 1

`a^2 + 2ab + b^2`

Explanation:

`(a + b)^2` is the same as `(a + b)(a + b)`.
(It's always easier to write it out because it makes you see clearly all the numbers you are multiplying. Also you'll make less mistakes that way.)

`a * a = a^2`

`a * b = ab`

`b * a = ab`

`b * b = b^2`

Combining that all together:
`a^2 + ab + ab + b^2`

However we can still simplify the `ab + ab` into `2ab`. Therefore, the answer is `a^2 + 2ab + b^2`.

Hope this helps!