If a = 4 and b = 5, what is the value of a^2 + b^2?

If a = 4 and b = 5, what is the value of a^2 + b^2?

• A. 16
• B. 41
• C. 25
• D. 9

Answer: (B)

To find the value of \( a^2 + b^2 \) when \( a = 4 \) and \( b = 5 \), start by calculating \( a^2 \) and \( b^2 \). First, compute \( a^2 \): \[ a^2 = 4^2 = 16 \] Next, compute \( b^2 \): \[ b^2 = 5^2 = 25 \] Now, add these two results together: \[ a^2 + b^2 = 16 + 25 = 41 \] Therefore, the correct value of \( a^2 + b^2 \) when \( a = 4 \) and \( b = 5 \) is 41. This shows that the calculations were done correctly based on the equations for squaring each variable and then summing them up.

To find the value of ( a^2 + b^2 ) when ( a = 4 ) and ( b = 5 ), start by calculating ( a^2 ) and ( b^2 ).

First, compute ( a^2 ):

[

a^2 = 4^2 = 16

]

Next, compute ( b^2 ):

[

b^2 = 5^2 = 25

]

Now, add these two results together:

[

a^2 + b^2 = 16 + 25 = 41

]

Therefore, the correct value of ( a^2 + b^2 ) when ( a = 4 ) and ( b = 5 ) is 41. This shows that the calculations were done correctly based on the equations for squaring each variable and then summing them up.