How do you multiply #(a-7)(a-3)#?

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Answer 1 · 2017-03-03T04:30:09

See the entire solution process below:

To multiply these two terms together you multiply each of the terms within the left parenthesis by each of the terms in the right parenthesis:

#(color(red)(a) - color(red)(7))(color(blue)(a) - color(blue)(3))# becomes:

#(color(red)(a) xx color(blue)(a)) - (color(red)(a) xx color(blue)(3)) - (color(red)(7) xx color(blue)(a)) + (color(red)(7) xx color(blue)(3))#

#a^2 - 3a - 7a + 21#

Now, combine like terms:

#a^2 + (-3 - 7)a + 21#

#a^2 - 10a + 21#