Final answer:
The expression (x + 2)^2 + (y - 4)^2 cannot be simplified further without additional specific values for x and y. It potentially represents the equation of a circle in standard form.
Step-by-step explanation:
The student's question involves finding the value of the sum of two squared binomials (x + 2)^2 + (y - 4)^2. As it stands, this expression is already in simplified form unless additional information is provided to further simplify the expression, such as specific values for x and y. However, if this expression represents something specific like the equation of a circle, then x and y would represent the coordinates of a point in relation to a circle centered at (-2, 4) with a radius defined by the value of this expression when equated to a specific radius squared.