What is the value of 3a^2 when a = 4?

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Multiple Choice

What is the value of 3a^2 when a = 4?

Explanation:
3a^2 means three times the square of a. First square a, since exponents come before multiplication. With a = 4, a^2 = 4^2 = 16. Then multiply by 3: 3 × 16 = 48. This shows why the value is 48. It’s different from squaring the whole 3a, which would give (3a)^2 = (12)^2 = 144, a noticeably larger result.

3a^2 means three times the square of a. First square a, since exponents come before multiplication. With a = 4, a^2 = 4^2 = 16. Then multiply by 3: 3 × 16 = 48. This shows why the value is 48. It’s different from squaring the whole 3a, which would give (3a)^2 = (12)^2 = 144, a noticeably larger result.

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