Question

A. Evaluate (6-5)^2 by working within the parenthesis first.

B. Evaluate 6^2-5^2.
C. Compare the answers to parts (a) and (b) and make a conjecture about (a-b)^2 and a^2-b^2.

Answer 1

Part A

(6-5)^2 = (1)^2 = 1

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Part B

6^2 - 5^2 = 36 - 25 = 11

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Part C

The results of the previous parts are different numbers.

(6-5)^2 = 1 and 6^2 - 5^2 = 11

Conjecture: (a-b)^2 ≠ a^2 - b^2