Question

Multiply the polynomials and simplify: (x+2)(x−4) (1 point)
Responses

x2−8x squared minus 8

x2−2x−8x squared minus 2 x minus 8

x2+2x−2x squared plus 2 x minus 2

x2−6x+8

Answer 1

To multiply the polynomials \((x + 2)(x - 4)\), we can use the distributive property (also known as the FOIL method for binomials).

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

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

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

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

Now, combine all these results together:
\[
x^2 - 4x + 2x - 8
\]
Combine the like terms:
\[
x^2 - 2x - 8
\]

So the simplified result is:
\[
\boxed{x^2 - 2x - 8}
\]