24. The Distributive Property
Look at the following expression:
3(x + 7) This expression is the sum of x and 7 multiplied by 3.
To simplify this expression we can distribute the multiplication by 3 to each
number in the sum.
(3 • x) + (3 • 7)
3x + 21
25. Multiply: (x + 2)(x – 5)
Though the format does not change, we must still distribute each term of one
polynomial to each term of the other polynomial.
Each term in (x+2) is distributed to each
term in (x – 5).
26. (x + 2)(x – 5)
This pattern for multiplying polynomials is called FOIL.
Multiply the First terms.
Multiply the Outside terms.
Multiply the Inside terms.
Multiply the Last terms.
F
O
I
L After you multiply, collect like terms.