Multiplying polynomials requires using the distributive property. This means that every term in one factor has to be multiplied by every term in the other factor.
Consider the following:
\((2x + 1)(3x – 2) = 2x(3x – 2) +1(3x -2)\)
or \(6x^2-4x + 3x – 2\) combining like terms: \(6x^2 -x -2\)
That method also works for polynomials:
\((x^2+3x -1)(2x^2 -x + 2)= x^2(2x^2-x+2)+3x(2x^2-x+2)-1(2x^2 -x+2)\)
Try the following:
1). \((3x – 2)(4x^2 +3x – 1)\)
2). \((x^2+ 2x – 1\)(2x^2-x + 1)\)
Did you get: \(12x^3+ x^2-9x +2\) and \(2x^4+3x^3-3x^2+3x-1\)
As you try on other strategies, think about what strategy works best.
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