use the distributive property to rewrite the polynomial (x+8) (x-2)

1 answer

To rewrite the polynomial \((x + 8)(x - 2)\) using the distributive property, you will multiply each term in the first binomial by each term in the second binomial. Here’s how it’s done step-by-step:

  1. Distribute \(x\) in \((x + 8)\) to both terms in \((x - 2)\): \[ x \cdot x + x \cdot (-2) = x^2 - 2x \]

  2. Distribute \(8\) in \((x + 8)\) to both terms in \((x - 2)\): \[ 8 \cdot x + 8 \cdot (-2) = 8x - 16 \]

  3. Combine all the terms from the two distributions: \[ x^2 - 2x + 8x - 16 \]

  4. Combine like terms: \[ x^2 + 6x - 16 \]

The polynomial \((x + 8)(x - 2)\) rewritten using the distributive property is: \[ x^2 + 6x - 16 \]