How do you find the product a(-8a^2+2a+4)+3(6a^2-4)?

1 Answer
Aug 6, 2017

See a solution process below:

Explanation:

First, expand both the terms in parenthesis by multiplying each term within the parenthesis by the term outside the parenthesis:

color(red)(a)(-8a^2 + 2a + 4) + color(blue)(3)(6a^2 - 4) =>

(color(red)(a) xx -8a^2) + (color(red)(a) xx 2a) + (color(red)(a) xx 4) + (color(blue)(3) xx 6a^2) - (color(blue)(3) xx 4) =>

-8a^3 + 2a^2 + 4a + 18a^2 - 12

Next, group like terms:

-8a^3 + 2a^2 + 18a^2 + 4a - 12

Now, combine like terms:

-8a^3 + (2 + 18)a^2 + 4a - 12

-8a^3 + 20a^2 + 4a - 12