Question

Simplify 1/4 + 4(1/2 - 3/4) ^2

Answer 1

Step 1. Simplify 1/2 - 3/4 to -1/4

1/4 + 4 (- 1/4)^2

Step 2. Since the power of 2 is even, the result will be positive

1/4 + 4(1/4)^2

Step 3. Use the Division Distributive Property

1/4 + 4 × 1/4^2

Step 4. Simplify 4^2 to 16

1/4 + 4 × 1/16

Step 5. Simplify 4 × 1/16 to 4/16

1/4 + 4/16

Step 6. Simplify 4/16 to 1/4

1/4 + 1/4

Step 7. Simplify

2/4

Step 8. Simplify

1/2

Answer 2

1/4 + 4(1/2 - 3/4) ^2

= 1/4 + 4(2/4 - 3/4) ^2

= 1/4 + 4(-1/4) ^2

= 1/4 + 4(1/16)

= 1/4 + 1/4

= 2/4

= 1/2