2x(x - 3)(x + 2)

do i distribute first?
i am so confused with these problems...

 

First do what I told you in the first two brackets, and then multiply the "product" with 2x.

 

2x(x-3)(x+2)

This is a quadratic equation. you can tell due to the 2x in front, and the fact there is a (x+/-a)(x+/-b).

First distribute 2x into the term (x-3). Which should give 2x^2-6x.

Then distribute that polynomial into (x+2). Which should go like this (this might be messy since it's on a computer):

2x^2 - 6x(x+2) = 2x^3 + 4x^2 - 6x^2 - 12x

This is a fairly long one, so you can combine the squared terms 4x^2 and -6x^2.

(2x^3) - (2x^2) - 12x

That should be your result. Although I haven't worked with these kinds of problems in a while so bare with me. lol

 

so...
2x(x^2-6-x)
then i got
2x^3-2x^2-12x
did i do that right?

edit; this is from what muffin man said.

 

According to Darkly Dreaming yes, correct.

 

awesome!
i did it kinda different, but apparently that works too lol.

 

Hey this is decent practice.

And I'm bored.

 

Don't forget, multiplication is commutative, so you can either distribute first of FOIL first, you'll get the same answer. I prefer to FOIL first.

 

You forgot to round the triangle and multiply the result by carrot.

 

Oh my god, I lol'd