A square has side p + 6. In the visual model, what area will the small corner square show?

Correct answer: 36

The correct answer is C: 36. In the visual model for (p + 6)², the large square is divided into a p by p square, two rectangles with dimensions p by 6, and a small corner square with dimensions 6 by 6. The corner square therefore has area 6 × 6 = 36. A is p², the area of the variable square, not the constant corner. B is the area of one mixed rectangle, p × 6 = 6p. D is the combined area of the two mixed rectangles, 6p + 6p = 12p. The full expansion is (p + 6)² = p² + 12p + 36, so the constant term identifies the corner square. Memory cue: in (variable + constant)², the small corner square is the constant squared.