Final answer:
To make 'a' the subject of the equation x = y + √a, isolate 'a' by subtracting 'y' from both sides, squaring both sides, and expanding to obtain the formula a = x² - 2xy + y².
Step-by-step explanation:
To make a the subject of the equation x = y + √a, we need to isolate a on one side of the equation. Here's the step-by-step process:
- Start with the equation x = y + √a.
- Subtract y from both sides of the equation to isolate the square root term: x - y = √a.
- Square both sides of the equation to eliminate the square root: (x - y)² = (√a)².
- Simplify the equation by expanding the square on the left side: x² - 2xy + y² = a.
- Finally, rewrite the equation with a as the subject: a = x² - 2xy + y².
Therefore, the formula for a in terms of x and y is a = x² - 2xy + y².
Learn more about Rearranging equations