Question

How do you multiply `(5x + 6) ( x - 2)`?

Answer 1

`5x^2 - 4x - 12`

Explanation:

The product of this is computed by cross multiplying each term in the parenthesis on the left by each term in the parenthesis on the right:

`color(red)((5x + 6))color(blue)((x - 2)) -> (color(red)(5x) * color(blue)(x)) - (color(red)(5x) * color(blue)(2)) + (color(red)(6) * color(blue)(x)) - (color(red)(6) * color(blue)(2)) ->`

`5x^2 - 10x + 6x - 12`

We can now combine like terms to complete the simplification:

`5x^2 + (-10 + 6)x - 12 ->`

`5x^2 + (-4x) - 12 ->`

`5x^2 - 4x - 12`