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When we encounter a multiplication exercise of this type, we know that we must use the distributive property.
Step 1: Multiply the first factor of the first parentheses by each of the factors of the second parentheses.
Step 2: Multiply the second factor of the first parentheses by each of the factors of the second parentheses.
Step 3: Group like terms.
a * (c+3) =
a*c + a*3
4 * (c+3) =
4*c + 4*3
ac+3a+4c+12
There are no like terms to simplify here, so this is the solution!
It is possible to use the distributive property to simplify the expression below?
What is its simplified form?
\( (ab)(c d) \)
\( \)
Each of the 2 terms in the first binomial must multiply each of the 2 terms in the second binomial. That's 2 × 2 = 4 multiplication operations, giving you 4 terms total!
FOIL is just a memory trick for the distributive property! It helps you remember: First, Outer, Inner, Last terms. Both methods give the same answer.
No! is the same as . The order doesn't matter as long as you have all 4 terms.
Count your terms! You should have exactly 4 terms when multiplying two binomials. Also, substitute simple numbers like a=1, c=1 to verify: (1+4)(1+3) = 5×4 = 20, and 1+3+4+12 = 20 ✓
In this problem, no terms can be combined because ac, 3a, 4c, and 12 are all different types. Only combine terms with exactly the same variables and exponents!
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