Question

What is the standard form of a polynomial `(7p – 8)(7p + 8)`?

Answer 1

Standard form is a sum of powers of the independent variable. In other words, `ap^n + bp^(n-1)+ cp^(n-2) +...+ qp + r`, where a,b,c,...q,r are all constants.

So, to format this equation in that form, you have to multiply everything out. Remember that to do that you must multiply every term in the first set of parenthesis with every term in the second, and then add everything together:

`(7p -8)(7p +8) = 49p^2 + 56p -56p - 64`

...giving:

`49p^2 - 64`

GOOD LUCK!