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Example

Evaluating (x+y)2(x + y)^2 when x=18x = -18 and y=24y = 24

Evaluate the expression (x+y)2(x + y)^2 by substituting x=18x = -18 and y=24y = 24:

  1. Substitute: Replace xx with 18-18 and yy with 2424 to obtain (18+24)2(-18 + 24)^2.
  2. Add inside the parentheses: Compute 18+24=6-18 + 24 = 6 (different signs — subtract the smaller absolute value from the larger: 2418=624 - 18 = 6, and take the positive sign since 2424 has the larger absolute value). The expression becomes (6)2(6)^2.
  3. Simplify the exponent: Compute 62=366^2 = 36.

The final result is 3636. This example illustrates how to evaluate a two-variable expression that involves both integer addition (with mixed signs) and exponentiation: the parentheses force the addition to be completed before the squaring.

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Updated 2026-04-21

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