Recall that you can use the Distributive Property. Do you remember what FOIL stands for? Keep in mind that there is a method involving a rectangle as well.
See solution.
Practice makes perfect
We have learned three different ways of multiplying polynomials.
Distributive Property
We can use the Distributive Property with a vertical or horizontal format by distributing, multiplying, and combining like terms. For example, let's multiply (3x-1)(x+2) using a vertical format.
Also, let's find the product by using a horizontal format.
(3x-1)( x+ 2) &= (3x-1) x + (3x-1) 2
&= 3x^2-x+6x-2
&= 3x^2+5x-2
FOIL Method
The FOIL method is used with a horizontal format. Here, we multiply the First terms, the Outer terms, the Inner terms, and the Last terms. Then we combine like terms.
The Rectangular Method
The rectangular method can be used by writing the terms of the polynomials along the top and left side of a rectangle, multiplying the terms, and combining like terms. Let's find (x^2-2x+5)(x+5) using this method.
