This week we learned more about polynomials, from working with multiplication questions with multiple terms to learning how to factor polynomials. This week I will explain how to solve a polynomial multiplication question that has multiple terms.

Example:

How to Simplify:

1. First, you want to lessen the amount of brackets so in this case you would multiply the brackets in each term by one another. The product will need to be written in brackets since it hasn’t been multiplied by the coefficient outside the brackets yet.
2. Next, you want to get rid of the brackets so you multiply the brackets by the coefficients that are directly beside them.
3. Lastly, you look at the products and collect any like terms to simplify it. Like terms are those that have the same variable and exponent ie. -10x, and +5x, if you were to combine these two like terms you would be left with -5x.