How to Multiply and Divide Expressions
Be efficient with your coefficients.
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Instructions
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Polynomial Expressions
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1
Multiply the first term of the first polynomial by the first term of the second polynomial. The product is the first term of your answer.
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2
Multiply the first term of the first polynomial by the second term of the second polynomial. The product is the second term of your answer.
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3
Multiply the first term of the first polynomial by the third, fourth and so on terms of the second polynomial until all terms of the second polynomial have been multiplied.
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4
Repeat the previous three steps for the remaining terms of the first polynomial.
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5
Simplify your answer by combining like terms.
Single-Term Expressions
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6
Multiply two like terms by multiplying the coefficients together to get a new coefficient, and then add the exponents together to get a new exponent.
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7
Divide two like terms by dividing the coefficient of the dividend by the coefficient of the divisor to get a new coefficient. Subtract the exponent of the variable in the divisor from the exponent of the variable in the dividend to get a new exponent.
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8
Multiply two unlike terms by multiplying the coefficients together to get a new coefficient and writing the variables next to each other.
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9
Divide two unlike terms by dividing the coefficient of the dividend by the coefficient of the divisor to get a new coefficient. The new variable will be a fraction in which the numerator is the variable of the dividend and the denominator is the variable of the divisor.
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1
Tips & Warnings
Example: (2x + 3)(y - 6) = 2xy - 12x + 3y - 18
Example 1: (2x)(3x) = 6x^2
Example 2: (4x^3)/(2x^2) = 2x
Example 3: (4x)(8y) = 32xy
Example 4: (10x)/(2y) = 5(x/y)
