Question

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

Answer 1

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.

Answer 2

so x^2 - 9?

Answer 3

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

Answer 4

So would I use the FOIL method?

Answer 5

Yes, you could also use the FOIL method.

Answer 6

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

Answer 7

\[x^2-3x-3x+9\] is better

Answer 8

so then combine those terms?

Answer 9

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