To use the box method for distributing and simplifying the expression \((2x - 5)(3x + 3)\), we can set up a box (or grid) with the terms from each factor.
Step 1: Set up the box
Create a box with two rows and two columns:
| | \(3x\) | \(3\) |
|------------|--------|--------|
| \(2x\) | | |
| \(-5\) | | |
Step 2: Fill in the box
Now fill in each cell by multiplying the terms from the rows and columns:
- First cell: \(2x \cdot 3x = 6x^2\)
- Second cell: \(2x \cdot 3 = 6x\)
- Third cell: \(-5 \cdot 3x = -15x\)
- Fourth cell: \(-5 \cdot 3 = -15\)
The completed box will look like this:
| | \(3x\) | \(3\) |
|------------|--------|--------|
| \(2x\) | \(6x^2\) | \(6x\) |
| \(-5\) | \(-15x\) | \(-15\) |
Step 3: Combine like terms
Now, add together all the terms from the box:
- \(6x^2\)
- \(6x - 15x = -9x\)
- \(-15\)
Final Expression
Combining these terms, we have:
\[
6x^2 - 9x - 15
\]
Thus, the simplified expression for \((2x - 5)(3x + 3)\) is:
\[
6x^2 - 9x - 15
\]