ACT Math : How to multiply trinomials

Study concepts, example questions & explanations for ACT Math

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Example Questions

Example Question #1 : How To Multiply Trinomials

Simplify the following:

Possible Answers:

Correct answer:

Explanation:

To multiply trinomials, simply foil out your factored terms by multiplying each term in one trinomial to each term in the other trinomial. I will show this below by spliting up the first trinomial into its 3 separate terms and multiplying each by the second trinomial.

Now we treat this as the addition of three monomials multiplied by a trinomial.

Now combine like terms and order by degree, largest to smallest.

Example Question #1 : How To Multiply Trinomials

Solve: 

Possible Answers:

Correct answer:

Explanation:

The  is distributed and multiplied to each term , and .

Example Question #2 : How To Multiply Trinomials

Which of the following is equal to ?

Possible Answers:

Correct answer:

Explanation:

 is multiplied to both  and  and  is only multiplied to .

Example Question #1 : How To Multiply Trinomials

What is ?

Possible Answers:

Correct answer:

Explanation:

 is distributed first to  and  is distributed to . This results in  and .  Like terms can then be added together. When added together, , , and . This makes the correct answer .

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