Question

How do you simplify `(x - \frac { 5} { 2} ) ^ { 2} - \frac { 34} { 4}`?

Answer 1

`=x^2 - 5x + (-9)/4`

Explanation:

`( x - 5/2)^2 - 34/4`
Distribute
`=x^2 - 5x + 25/4+(-17)/2`
`=x^2 - 5x + 25/4 + (-34)/4`
`=x^2 - 5x + (25-34)/4`
`=x^2 - 5x + (-9)/4`