Multiply the polynomial expression (x+2)(x−4)

Question

.(2 points)
x2+
a
x+

Answer 1

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

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

2. Multiply the outer terms: \[ x \cdot (-4) = -4x \]

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

4. Multiply the last terms: \[ 2 \cdot (-4) = -8 \]

Now, combine all the results: \[ x^2 - 4x + 2x - 8 \]

Combine the like terms \(-4x\) and \(2x\): \[ x^2 - 2x - 8 \]

So, the final expression is: \[ x^2 - 2x - 8 \]

In the requested format, the expression can be written as: \[ x^2 + (-2)x + (-8) \]

Therefore, \(a = -2\) and the last term is \(-8\).