1. The problem is to expand and simplify the expression $ (y + 5)^2 $. 2. The formula for the square of a binomial is: $$ (a + b)^2 = a^2 + 2ab + b^2 $$ This means we square the first term, add twice the product of the two terms, and then add the square of the second term. 3. Applying this formula to $ (y + 5)^2 $: - First term squared: $ y^2 $ - Twice the product: $ 2 \times y \times 5 = 10y $ - Second term squared: $ 5^2 = 25 $ 4. Combine all parts: $$ y^2 + 10y + 25 $$ 5. This is the expanded and simplified form of $ (y + 5)^2 $. Final answer: $$ y^2 + 10y + 25 $$