Can someone please help me solve a problem? The file is attached!

Question

anonymous · Answer

attachment

mathmate · Answer

The area of a square is the square of one side.
The length of one side is (x-3).
Square it and you'll get the area.

anonymous · Answer

so x^2 - 9?

mathmate · Answer

Not quite.  You have missed out the cross terms, and are almost there.
Also, watch the sign.
The square of a binomial is:
(a+b)^2=a^2+2ab+b^2
and
(a-b)^2=a^2-2ab+b^2

anonymous · Answer

So would I use the FOIL method?

mathmate · Answer

Yes, you could also use the FOIL method.

anonymous · Answer

when I solve it out would it be x^2 - 3x - 3x - x^2?

anonymous · Answer

$$x^2-3x-3x+9$$ is better

anonymous · Answer

so then combine those terms?

phi · Answer

Yes, combine like terms here is a short video if you want to see an example http://www.khanacademy.org/math/algebra/polynomials/v/multiplying-polynomials1