MINDMAPS FOR UPSCPET 2026 · VISUAL REVISION
Algebraic identities and digit equations
Link squares through products and write two-digit numbers in place-value form
Identities and two-digit place value
Square expansions
- (a + b)² = a² + 2ab + b² and (a − b)² = a² − 2ab + b².
- Rearrange to isolate sum of squares: a² + b² = (a − b)² + 2ab = (a + b)² − 2ab.
- (a + b)² − (a − b)² = 4ab connects sum, difference and product directly.
Direct evaluation without roots
- Here the identity gives the required sum of squares without solving for a and b separately.
- Given a − b = 4 and ab = 12, substitute into a² + b² = (a − b)² + 2ab.
- Compute 4² + 2(12) = 16 + 24 = 40; watch the +2ab sign when starting from (a − b)².
Place-value representation
- A two-digit number with tens digit a and units digit b equals 10a + b, not ab.
- Reversing the digits swaps place values to give the new number 10b + a.
- Digit bounds: tens digit a ∈ {1, …, 9} and units digit b ∈ {0, …, 9}.
Reversal difference and solution
- Difference on reversal is always a multiple of 9: (10b + a) − (10a + b) = 9(b − a).
- If reversal increases the number by 45, then 9(b − a) = 45, so b − a = 5.
- Combining a + b = 9 with b − a = 5 gives a = 2, b = 7; original number is 27 (72 − 27 = 45).
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