Help with math :( (question 20 characters long) -.-

it maybe seems like a dumb question but i'm not sure how to get this done:

4(a+1)^2 - 6(a+1)(a-3) + 9(a-3)^2=

Each set in paranatheses have to be solved first using the FOIL method, then distribute the coefficient (and don't forget to distribute the negative as well, then combine like terms add or subtract what remains.

4(a^2+2a+1)-6(a^2-2a-3)+9(a^2-6a+9)
=4a^2+8a+4-6a^2+12a+18+9a^2-54a+81
=7a^2-34a+103

The process is correct, but double check my math. and if you need to solve for "a" use the quadratic formula.

4(a + 1)^2 - 6(a + 1)(a = 3) + 9(a - 3)

let u = a + 1 and let v = a - 3

and we get

4u^2 - 6uv + 9v^2

(2u - 3u)^2

now substitute back for u and v and we get

(2(a + 1) - 3(a + 3)^2

(2a + 2 - 3a - 9)^2

(- a - 7)^2

4a^2 + 8a + 4 - 6a^2 + 12a + 18 + 9a^2 - 54a + 81
7a^2 - 34a + 103