Question

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Answer 1

which one do you think it is and why?

Answer 2

Hint: Both the diagrams can be used to make a valid proof. So, you need to look at the steps.

Answer 3

Sean is correct and so is Gina.
Both of their work is correct.

Answer 4

@jim_thompson5910 and @LarsEighner

Answer 5

what is (a-b)^2

Answer 6

I don't think so. Scrutinize each of the steps.

Answer 7

I was stuck between options and that was the best choice, at least I thought :/ .

a^2-2ab + b^2

Answer 8

\[a^2-2ab+b^2\]

Answer 9

look at what sean gets for (a-b)^2

Answer 10

But that contradicts step 2 of Sean's proof.

Answer 11

What is more, look at his Step 1. What is the area of one of the triangles?

Answer 12

Sean is incorrect.

Answer 13

^Step 2 .

Answer 14

Yes. As an excercise you might correct his argument. But for purposes of this answer he is wrong.

Answer 15

He got to his conclusion by making two error which compensated for each other. But if you correct both, you can construct a valid argument with his diagram.

Answer 16

For sure I know Sean is incorrect, I'm trying to figure out Gina right now.

Answer 17

The options are minimized to C and D right now.

Answer 18

Has Gina correct stated the area of the big square?

Answer 19

I want to know where the 2ab part comes from?

Answer 20

In step 1 it comes from algebra. It is the expansion of the square of the sum a + b.

In step 2, you have to figure the area of a right triangle with legs a and b (which gets multiplied by 4, because there are 4 small triangles which are congruent.

Answer 21

Gina is correct.

Answer 22

Yes. This is a famous proof. Socrates (according to Plato) elicited this proof from a slave by asking the slaves questions. (However, Socrates was not trying to prove Pythagoras. He was trying to prove that everyone altready knows everything -- you just have to ask them the right questions to get the knowledge out of them.)

Answer 23

O.O Ah, so wise; very interesting and very effective.

In conclusion, Gina is correct and Sean is incorrect= C.

Answer 24

Right.

Answer 25

Thank you, I appreciate all your help . :)

Answer 26

You are most welcome.