Investigation 1

Expanding quadratics using areas

Consider the expansion of the quadratic (x + 3)(x + 6). This can be represented by finding the area of the

Investigation
rectangle shown.
Total area = A1 + A2 + A3 + A4 x 6
= x2 + 6x + 3x + 18

Therefore:
x A1 A2
(x + 3)(x + 6) = x2 + 9x + 18

3 A3 A4

Expanding with positive signs

a Draw a diagram and calculate the area to determine the expansion of the following quadratics.
i (x + 4) (x + 5) ii (x + 7)(x + 8)
iii (x + 3) 2 iv (x + 5) 2

b Using the same technique establish the rule for expanding (a + b) 2.

Expanding with negative signs

Consider the expansion of (x − 4)(x − 7). x

Area required = total area − (A2 + A3 + A4) 7

= x2 − [ (A2 + A4) + (A3 + A4) − A4]

= x2 − (7x + 4x − 28) x A1 A2
= x2 − 11x + 28
Therefore:
4 A3 A4
(x − 4)(x − 7) = x2 − 11x + 28
This area is counted twice
when we add 7x + 4x.

a Draw a diagram and calculate the area to determine the expansion of the following quadratics.
i (x − 3) (x − 5)
ii (x − 6) (x − 4)
iii (x − 4) 2
iv (x − 2) 2

b Using the same technique, establish the rule for expanding (a − b) 2.

Difference of perfect squares

Using a diagram to represent (a − b)(a + b), determine the appropriate area and establish a rule for the
expansion of (a − b)(a + b).

Essential Mathematics for the ISBN 978-1-108-77285-3 © Greenwood et al. 2020 Cambridge University Press
Victorian Curriculum Year 9 2ed Photocopying is restricted under law and this material must not be transferred to another party.
 2 Chapter 8 Algebraic techniques

Numerical applications of perfect squares

The expansion and factorisation of perfect squares and difference of perfect squares can be applied to the
mental calculation of some numerical problems.
Investigation

Evaluating a perfect square

The perfect square 322 can be evaluated using (a + b) 2 = a2 + 2ab + b2.

322 = (30 + 2) 2 (Let a = 30, b = 2.)
= 302 + 2(30)(2) + 22
= 900 + 120 + 4
= 1024

a Use the same technique to evaluate these perfect squares.

i 222 ii 212 iii 332 iv 512
v 1.22 vi 3.22 vii 6.12 viii 9.012

Similarly, the perfect square 292 can be evaluated using (a − b) 2 = a2 − 2ab + b2.
292 = (30 − 1) 2 (Let a = 30, b = 1.)
= 302 − 2(30)(1) + 12
= 900 − 60 + 1
= 841

b Use the same technique to evaluate these perfect squares.

i 192 ii 392 iii 982 iv 872
v 1.92 vi 4.72 vii 8.82 viii 3.962

Evaluating the difference of perfect squares

The difference of perfect squares 142 − 92 can be evaluated using a2 − b2 = (a + b)(a − b).
142 − 92 = (14 + 9)(14 − 9) (Let a = 14, b = 9.)
= 23 × 5
= 115

a Use the same technique to evaluate these difference of perfect squares.

i 132 − 82 ii 252 − 232 iii 422 − 412 iv 852 − 832
v 1.4 − 1.3
2 2 vi 4.9 − 4.7
2 2 vii 10012 − 10002 viii 2.012 − 1.992

The expansion (a + b)(a − b) = a2 − b2 can also be used to evaluate some products. Here is an example:
31 × 29 = (30 + 1)(30 − 1) (Let a = 30, b = 1.)
= 302 − 12
= 900 − 1
= 899

b Use the same technique to evaluate these products.

i 21 × 19 ii 32 × 28 iii 63 × 57 iv 105 × 95
v 2.1 × 1.9 vi 7.4 × 6.6 vii 520 × 480 viii 915 × 885

Essential Mathematics for the ISBN 978-1-108-77285-3 © Greenwood et al. 2020 Cambridge University Press
Victorian Curriculum Year 9 2ed Photocopying is restricted under law and this material must not be transferred to another party.