Pre-Algebra : Multiplying and Dividing Polynomials

Study concepts, example questions & explanations for Pre-Algebra

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Example Questions

Example Question #1 : Multiplying And Dividing Polynomials

Multiply:

 

Possible Answers:

Correct answer:

Explanation:

Multiply making sure to distribute the negative sign:

Example Question #2 : Multiplying And Dividing Polynomials

Multiply: 

Possible Answers:

Correct answer:

Explanation:

Example Question #3 : Multiplying And Dividing Polynomials

Simplify:

Possible Answers:

Correct answer:

Explanation:

When multiplying, remember the Product Rule of Exponents:

Step 1: Multiply the first term of the first polynomial across the terms of the second polynomial, and then add those products:


Step 2: Multiply the second term of the first polynomial across the terms of the second polynomial, and again add the products:

Step 3: Add the products from Step 1 and Step 2 by combining like terms.  Remember that variables with different exponents are not like terms. For example,  and  are like terms, but,  and  are not like terms:

 

Example Question #4 : Multiplying And Dividing Polynomials

Expand the following:

Possible Answers:

Correct answer:

Explanation:

Recall that when expanding polynomials, we use the term FOIL (First, Outside, Inside, Last) to help us multiply all terms together.

Next, multiply each term to simplify and combine like terms. Note: Be careful with negative signs.

Example Question #1 : Multiplying And Dividing Polynomials

Simplify:

Possible Answers:

Correct answer:

Explanation:

To solve, you can use the commutative and associative properties of multiplication to group like-terms together.

The 4 and 3 should be first multiplied, resulting in 12.

Next  should be multiplied by , giving us .

12 times  is equal to 

Therefore, the correct answer is .

Example Question #1 : Multiplying And Dividing Polynomials

Multiply:

Possible Answers:

Correct answer:

Explanation:

Use the distributive property:

Example Question #1 : Multiplying And Dividing Polynomials

Multiply:

Possible Answers:

Correct answer:

Explanation:

This product fits the sum of cubes pattern, where :

So

Example Question #1 : How To Divide Polynomials

Simplify: 

 

Possible Answers:

Correct answer:

Explanation:

Cancel by subtracting the exponents of like terms:

Example Question #4 : Multiplying And Dividing Polynomials

Simplify the following expression:

Possible Answers:

=

Correct answer:

Explanation:

Use FOIL (First Outer Inner Last).

Example Question #5 : Multiplying And Dividing Polynomials

Expand the following expression:

Possible Answers:

Correct answer:

Explanation:

Use FOIL to expand the polynomial.

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