Identities in algebra can sometimes be shown as area relationships. For example: The figure shown corresponds to the identity (a + b)² = a² + 2ab + b². Do you see how? Draw figures corresponding to the identities: (i) (a + b)(a − b) = a² − b² (ii) (a + b + c)² = a² + b² + c² + 2ab + 2bc + 2ca
Fig. 6.41: Area model of an identity: (a + b)² = a² + 2ab + b².
Consider a square of side a.
Its area is:
Now remove a smaller square of side b from one corner.
Its area is:
As shown in the figure, divide the remaining L-shaped region into two parts:
Now rearrange the region by rotating Piece II and attaching it adjacent to Piece I.
This forms a single rectangle whose dimensions are:
Since both configurations represent the exact same area:
(a + b)(a − b) = a² − b²
Consider a square whose side length is:
Divide each side into three parts of lengths a, b, and c.
This partitions the large square into 9 smaller regions:
= a² + b² + c² + 2ab + 2bc + 2ca
Equating the two expressions for the total area of the large square:
(a + b + c)² = a² + b² + c² + 2ab + 2bc + 2ca