Question

(x+2)(x-4) polynomials

Answer 1

To expand the polynomial \((x + 2)(x - 4)\), you can use the distributive property (the FOIL method for binomials), which stands for First, Outside, Inside, and Last.

1. **First**: Multiply the first terms:
\(x \cdot x = x^2\)

2. **Outside**: Multiply the outer terms:
\(x \cdot (-4) = -4x\)

3. **Inside**: Multiply the inner terms:
\(2 \cdot x = 2x\)

4. **Last**: Multiply the last terms:
\(2 \cdot (-4) = -8\)

Now, combine all the results:

\[
x^2 - 4x + 2x - 8
\]

Combine the like terms \(-4x\) and \(2x\):

\[
x^2 - 2x - 8
\]

Therefore, the expanded form of \((x + 2)(x - 4)\) is:

\[
\boxed{x^2 - 2x - 8}
\]