what expression is equivalent to (1/2a+5)(3/2a+1)

1 answer

To find an expression equivalent to \((\frac{1}{2}a + 5)(\frac{3}{2}a + 1)\), we will use the distributive property (also known as the FOIL method for binomials) to expand the expression.

  1. First: Multiply the first terms: \[ \frac{1}{2}a \cdot \frac{3}{2}a = \frac{3}{4}a^2 \]

  2. Outer: Multiply the outer terms: \[ \frac{1}{2}a \cdot 1 = \frac{1}{2}a \]

  3. Inner: Multiply the inner terms: \[ 5 \cdot \frac{3}{2}a = \frac{15}{2}a \]

  4. Last: Multiply the last terms: \[ 5 \cdot 1 = 5 \]

Now, combine all these results: \[ \frac{3}{4}a^2 + \frac{1}{2}a + \frac{15}{2}a + 5 \]

Next, combine the \(a\) terms: \[ \frac{1}{2}a + \frac{15}{2}a = \frac{16}{2}a = 8a \]

Thus, the combined expression is: \[ \frac{3}{4}a^2 + 8a + 5 \]

Therefore, the expression equivalent to \((\frac{1}{2}a + 5)(\frac{3}{2}a + 1)\) is: \[ \frac{3}{4}a^2 + 8a + 5 \]