Example

Squaring (y3)2(y - 3)^2 Using the Binomial Squares Pattern

Apply the Binomial Squares Pattern to multiply (y3)2(y - 3)^2. Here a=ya = y and b=3b = 3, so use the subtraction form (ab)2=a22ab+b2(a - b)^2 = a^2 - 2ab + b^2.

Step 1 — Square the first term: y2y^2.

Step 2 — Square the last term: 32=93^2 = 9.

Step 3 — Double their product: 2y3=6y2 \cdot y \cdot 3 = 6y. Because the binomial uses subtraction, the middle term is negative: 6y-6y.

Assemble the three pieces into a trinomial:

(y3)2=y26y+9(y - 3)^2 = y^2 - 6y + 9

When the binomial involves subtraction, the only change in the pattern is the sign of the middle term — it becomes negative. The first and last terms (the two squares) are always positive, regardless of whether the binomial uses addition or subtraction.

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Updated 2026-04-21

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