Question
Multiply the polynominal expression (x + 2)(x - 4)
Answers
GPT-4o mini
To multiply the polynomial expressions \((x + 2)(x - 4)\), you can use the distributive property (also known as the FOIL method for binomials). Here’s how it works step-by-step:
1. Multiply the first terms:
\(x \cdot x = x^2\)
2. Multiply the outer terms:
\(x \cdot (-4) = -4x\)
3. Multiply the inner terms:
\(2 \cdot x = 2x\)
4. Multiply the last terms:
\(2 \cdot (-4) = -8\)
Now, combine all these results together:
\[
x^2 - 4x + 2x - 8
\]
Next, combine like terms:
\[
x^2 + (-4x + 2x) - 8 = x^2 - 2x - 8
\]
So, the product of the polynomial expression \((x + 2)(x - 4)\) is:
\[
\boxed{x^2 - 2x - 8}
\]
1. Multiply the first terms:
\(x \cdot x = x^2\)
2. Multiply the outer terms:
\(x \cdot (-4) = -4x\)
3. Multiply the inner terms:
\(2 \cdot x = 2x\)
4. Multiply the last terms:
\(2 \cdot (-4) = -8\)
Now, combine all these results together:
\[
x^2 - 4x + 2x - 8
\]
Next, combine like terms:
\[
x^2 + (-4x + 2x) - 8 = x^2 - 2x - 8
\]
So, the product of the polynomial expression \((x + 2)(x - 4)\) is:
\[
\boxed{x^2 - 2x - 8}
\]