Bingo. I couldn't remember how to get (x + y)^2 out of x^2+2xy+y^2 = 9. But now I get it. Yay! One less thing I have to recall for this stupid @#$#$^$& standardized test. Gah. Thanks Julia (and to those who replied offlist), Erin TO ------------------------------------------------------------------ To change your Lit-Ideas settings (subscribe/unsub, vacation on/off, digest on/off), visit www.andreas.com/faq-lit-ideas.html