Section 6-5
Multiplying Polynomials
To multiply two binomials, you can use the "FOIL" rule
(that stands for First, Outer, Inner, Last.)
This is really just an application of the distributive law.
What it says is that the product of two binomials is the sum of four simpler
products.
Example 1:
Multiply:
(x + 2)(x – 7)
The product of the First terms is: (x)(x) =
x2
The product of the Outer terms is: (x)(–7) = –7x
The product of the Inner terms is: (2)(x) = 2x
And the product of the Last terms is: (2)(–7)
= –14
Add all these up, and you'll get the answer:
(x + 2)(x – 7) = x2 +
(–7x) + 2x + (–14)
= x2 – 5x – 14
You can use a similar strategy to multiply trinomials or bigger
polynomials.
Example 2:
Multiply:
(x + 7y + z)(a +
5)
For this one, you need to find six products:
- (x)(a)
- (7y)(a)
- (z)(a)
- (x)(5)
- (7y)(5)
- (z)(5)
and then add them all up.