Question

simplify the following expression.
(n - 12)²
n² - 24n + ?

Explanation:

Step1: Recall the formula for squaring a binomial

The formula for \((a - b)^2\) is \(a^2 - 2ab + b^2\). In the expression \((n - 12)^2\), we have \(a = n\) and \(b = 12\).

Step2: Identify the missing term

Using the formula, the last term (the constant term) should be \(b^2\). Substituting \(b = 12\) into \(b^2\), we get \(12^2 = 144\). We can also verify this by expanding \((n - 12)^2\) as \(n\times n - n\times12 - 12\times n + 12\times12 = n^2 - 12n - 12n + 144 = n^2 - 24n + 144\).

Answer:

\(144\)