Part II: Next, add any like terms and write the polynomial in descending order in the space provided.

The answer is (3x + 7)(2x – 5)

1 answer

To combine and simplify the expression \((3x + 7)(2x - 5)\) and write it in standard form, we start by using the distributive property (also known as the FOIL method for binomials).

  1. First: Multiply the first terms:
    \[ 3x \cdot 2x = 6x^2 \]

  2. Outer: Multiply the outer terms:
    \[ 3x \cdot (-5) = -15x \]

  3. Inner: Multiply the inner terms:
    \[ 7 \cdot 2x = 14x \]

  4. Last: Multiply the last terms:
    \[ 7 \cdot (-5) = -35 \]

Now, combine all these results together: \[ 6x^2 - 15x + 14x - 35 \]

Next, combine like terms: \[ -15x + 14x = -1x \text{ or } -x \]

So, the polynomial in descending order is: \[ 6x^2 - x - 35 \]

Thus, the final answer is: \[ \boxed{6x^2 - x - 35} \]