If a square of side p+q is divided according to lengths p and q, which parts must appear in the visual area model of (p+q)²?

Correct answer: One p² square, one q² square, and two pq rectangles

Direct answer: Option A is correct. Divide each side of the large square, whose length is p+q, into lengths p and q. The four resulting regions are a p by p square with area p², a q by q square with area q², and two p by q rectangles, each with area pq. Their total is p²+pq+pq+q²=p²+2pq+q²=(p+q)². Option B has the wrong number of square regions. Option C incorrectly calls pq a square; its two side lengths need not be equal, and the remaining shapes do not have the stated dimensions. Option D assigns q² to rectangles that should have area pq. The central check is to count the two cross-rectangles separately because together they create the 2pq term.