If (a+b)squared = 361 and ab =-120, calculate the value of a squared + b squared

(a+b)squared equal to a squared+2ab+b squared. Then you will know the answer!

To find the value of a squared + b squared, we can use the given information that (a+b)squared = 361 and ab = -120.

Let's start by expanding (a+b)squared:

(a+b)squared = a squared + 2ab + b squared

We can substitute the value of ab = -120:

(a+b)squared = a squared + 2(-120) + b squared
= a squared - 240 + b squared

Now, we can rearrange the equation to isolate a squared + b squared:

(a+b)squared = a squared - 240 + b squared

Since we know that (a+b)squared = 361, we can substitute this value into the equation:

361 = a squared - 240 + b squared

Next, we can rearrange the equation to isolate a squared + b squared:

a squared + b squared = 361 + 240
= 601

Therefore, the value of a squared + b squared is 601.

To solve this problem, we can start by expanding the equation (a + b)^2.

(a + b)^2 = a^2 + 2ab + b^2

Given that (a + b)^2 = 361 and ab = -120, we can substitute these values into the equation:

361 = a^2 + 2(-120) + b^2
361 = a^2 - 240 + b^2

Rearranging the equation, we get:
a^2 + b^2 = 361 + 240
a^2 + b^2 = 601

Therefore, the value of a^2 + b^2 is 601.