How do you multiply polynomials #(a + 3)(a - 2)#?

2 Answers
Shantelle
Mar 27, 2018

#a^2+a-6#

Explanation:

#a*a=a^2#

#a*-2=-2a#

#3*a=3a#

#3*-2=-6#

Now when we combine them all together we get:

#a^2-2a+3a-6#

We still need to simplify this since #-2a# and #3a# are like terms. So the final answer is:
#a^2+a-6#

Hope this helps!

Jim G.
Mar 27, 2018

#a^2+a-6#

Explanation:

#"each term in the second factor is multiplied by each"#
#"term in the first factor"#

#rArr(color(red)(a+3))(a-2)#

#=color(red)(a)(a-2)color(red)(+3)(a-2)larrcolor(blue)"distribute"#

#=(color(red)(a)xxa)+(color(red)(a)xx-2)+(color(red)(3)xxa)+(color(red)(3)xx-2)#

#=a^2color(blue)(-2a)color(blue)(+3a)-6larrcolor(blue)"collect like terms"#

#=a^2color(blue)(+a)-6#

#rArr(a+3)(a-2)=a^2+a-6#

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