1. State the problem: Expand the expression $A = (3x - 2)^2$. 2. Recall the formula for square of a binomial: $$(a - b)^2 = a^2 - 2ab + b^2$$ 3. Identify $a = 3x$ and $b = 2$. 4. Substitute into the formula: $$A = (3x)^2 - 2 imes 3x imes 2 + 2^2$$ 5. Calculate each term: - $(3x)^2 = 9x^2$ - $-2 imes 3x imes 2 = -12x$ - $2^2 = 4$ 6. Write the expanded form: $$A = 9x^2 - 12x + 4$$ 7. This is the simplified expanded form of the given expression.