Square of Sum

From ProofWiki
Jump to navigation Jump to search

Theorem

$\forall x, y \in \R: \paren {x + y}^2 = x^2 + 2 x y + y^2$


Algebraic Proof 1

Follows from the distribution of multiplication over addition:

\(\ds \paren {x + y}^2\) \(=\) \(\ds \paren {x + y} \cdot \paren {x + y}\) Definition of Square Function
\(\ds \) \(=\) \(\ds x \cdot \paren {x + y} + y \cdot \paren {x + y}\) Real Multiplication Distributes over Addition
\(\ds \) \(=\) \(\ds x \cdot x + x \cdot y + y \cdot x + y \cdot y\) Real Multiplication Distributes over Addition
\(\ds \) \(=\) \(\ds x \cdot x + x \cdot y + x \cdot y + y \cdot y\) Real Multiplication is Commutative
\(\ds \) \(=\) \(\ds x \cdot x + 2 x y + y \cdot y\) simplifying
\(\ds \) \(=\) \(\ds x^2 + 2 x y + y^2\) Definition of Square Function

$\blacksquare$


Algebraic Proof 2

Follows directly from the Binomial Theorem:

$\ds \forall n \in \Z_{\ge 0}: \paren {x + y}^n = \sum_{k \mathop = 0}^n \binom n k x^{n - k} y^k$

putting $n = 2$.

$\blacksquare$


Geometric Proof

In the words of Euclid:

If a straight line be cut at random, the square on the whole is equal to the squares on the segments and twice the rectangle contained by the segments.

(The Elements: Book $\text{II}$: Proposition $4$)


Euclid-II-4.png

Let the straight line $AB$ be cut at random at $C$.

Construct the square $ADEB$ on $AB$ and join $DB$.

Construct $CF$ parallel to $AD$ through $C$.

Construct $HK$ parallel to $AB$ through $G$.

From Parallelism implies Equal Alternate Angles, $\angle CGB = \angle ADB$.


We have that $BA = AD$.

So from Isosceles Triangle has Two Equal Angles:

$\angle ADB = \angle ABD$

So $\angle CGB = \angle CBG$, and so from Triangle with Two Equal Angles is Isosceles, $BC = CG$.


From Opposite Sides and Angles of Parallelogram are Equal, we have $CB = GK$ and $CG = KB$ and so $CGKB$ is equilateral.

Now, since $CG \parallel BK$, from Parallelism implies Supplementary Interior Angles we have that $\angle KBC$ and $\angle GCB$ are supplementary.

But as $\angle KBC$ is a right angle, $\angle BCG$ is also a right angle.

So from Opposite Sides and Angles of Parallelogram are Equal, $\angle CGK$ and $\angle GKB$ are also right angles.

So $CGKB$, described on $CB$. is right-angled, and as it is equilateral, by definition it is square.


For the same reason, $HGDF$ is also square, and described on $HG$, which equals $AB$.

So $HGDF$ and $CGKB$ are the squares on $AC$ and $CB$.


Now we have from Complements of Parallelograms are Equal that $\Box ACGH = \Box GKEF$.

But $\Box ACGH$ is the rectangle contained by $AC$ and $CB$, as $CB = GC$.

So $\Box GKEF$ is also equal to the rectangle contained by $AC$ and $CB$.


But the squares $HGFD$ and $CBKG$ are equal to the squares on $AC$ and $CB$.

So the four areas $HGFD$, $CBKG$, $ACGH$ and $GKEF$ are equal to:

the squares on $AC$ and $CB$

and:

twice the rectangle contained by $AC$ and $CB$.

But $HGFD$, $CBKG$, $ACGH$ and $GKEF$ are also equal to the square on $AB$.

Hence the result.

$\blacksquare$


Sources

Retrieved from "https://proofwiki.org/w/index.php?title=Square_of_Sum&oldid=646180"