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Mathematics LibreTexts

5.4: Multiplying Polynomials

  • Anonymous
  • LibreTexts

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Learning Objectives
  • Multiply a polynomial by a monomial.
  • Multiply a polynomial by a binomial.
  • Multiply a polynomial by any size polynomial.
  • Recognize and calculate special products.
  • Multiply polynomial functions.

Multiplying by a Monomial

Recall the product rule for exponents: if m and n are positive integers, then

xmxn=xm+n

In other words, when multiplying two expressions with the same base, add the exponents. This rule applies when multiplying a monomial by a monomial. To find the product of monomials, multiply the coefficients and add the exponents of variable factors with the same base. For example,

3x5x2=35x1x2Commutativeproperty=15x1+2Productruleforexponents=15x3

To multiply a polynomial by a monomial, apply the distributive property and then simplify each term.

Example 5.4.1

Multiply:

5x(4x2).

Solution:

In this case, multiply the monomial, 5x, by the binomial, 4x2. Apply the distributive property and then simplify.

Screenshot (365).png
Figure 5.4.1

Answer:

20x2+10x

Example 5.4.2

Multiply:

2x2(3x25x+1).

Solution:

Apply the distributive property and then simplify.

Screenshot (366).png
Figure 5.4.2

Answer:

6x410x3+2x2

Example 5.4.3

Multiply:

3ab2(a2b3+2a3b6ab4).

Solution:

Answer:

To summarize, multiplying a polynomial by a monomial involves the distributive property and the product rule for exponents. Multiply all of the terms of the polynomial by the monomial. For each term, multiply the coefficients and add exponents of variables where the bases are the same.

Exercise 5.4.1

Multiply:

5x2y(2xy23xy+6x2y1).

Answer

10x3y3+15x3y230x4y2+5x2y

Multiplying by a Binomial

In the same way that we used the distributive property to find the product of a monomial and a binomial, we will use it to find the product of two binomials.

(a+b)(c+d)=(a+b)c+(a+b)d=ac+bc+ad+bd=ac+ad+bc+bd

Here we apply the distributive property multiple times to produce the final result. This same result is obtained in one step if we apply the distributive property to a and b separately as follows:

Screenshot (367).png
Figure 5.4.3

This is often called the FOIL method. We add the products of the first terms of each binomial ac, the outer terms ad, the inner terms bc, and finally the last terms bd. This mnemonic device only works for products of binomials; hence it is best to just remember that the distributive property applies.

Example 5.4.4

Multiply:

(2x+3)(5x2).

Solution:

Distribute 2x and then distribute 3.

Simplify by combining like terms.

=10x2+11x6

Answer:

10x2+11x6

Example 5.4.5

Multiply:

(12x14)(12x+14).

Solution:

Distribute 12x and then distribute 14.

(12x14)(12x+14)=12x12x+12x14+(14)12x+(14)14=14x2+18x18x116=14x2116

Answer:

14x2116

Example 5.4.6

Multiply:

(3y21)(2y+1).

Solution:

Answer:

6y3+3y22y1

After applying the distributive property, combine any like terms.

Example 5.4.7

Multiply:

(x25)(3x22x+2).

Solution:

After multiplying each term of the trinomial by x2 and 5, simplify.

Answer:

3x42x313x2+10x10

Example 5.4.8

Multiply:

(2x1)3.

Solution:

Perform one product at a time.

Screenshot (368).png
Figure 5.4.4

Answer:

8x312x2+6x1

At this point, it is worth pointing out a common mistake:

(2x1)3(2x)3(1)3

The confusion comes from the product to a power rule of exponents, where we apply the power to all factors. Since there are two terms within the parentheses, that rule does not apply. Care should be taken to understand what is different in the following two examples:

(xy)2=x2y2(x+y)2x2+y2x

Exercise 5.4.2

Multiply:

(2x3)(7x25x+4).

Answer

14x331x2+23x12

Product of Polynomials

When multiplying polynomials, we apply the distributive property many times. Multiply all of the terms of each polynomial and then combine like terms.

Example 5.4.9

Multiply:

(2x2+x3)(x22x+5).

Solution:

Multiply each term of the first trinomial by each term of the second trinomial and then combine like terms.

Aligning like terms in columns, as we have here, aids in the simplification process

Answer:

2x43x3+5x2+11x15

Notice that when multiplying a trinomial by a trinomial, we obtain nine terms before simplifying. In fact, when multiplying an n-term polynomial by an m-term polynomial, we will obtain n×m terms. In the previous example, we were asked to multiply and found that

(2x2+x3)(x22x+5)=2x43x3+5x2+11x15

Because it is easy to make a small calculation error, it is a good practice to trace through the steps mentally to verify that the operations were performed correctly. Alternatively, we can check by evaluating any value for x in both expressions to verify that the results are the same. Here we choose x=2:

(2x2+x3)(x22x+5)=(2(2)2+(2)3)((2)22(2)+5)=(8+23)(44+5)=(7)(5)=35

Because the results could coincidentally be the same, a check by evaluating does not necessarily prove that we have multiplied correctly. However, after verifying a few values, we can be fairly confident that the product is correct.

Exercise 5.4.3

Multiply:

(x22x3)2.

Answer

x44x32x2+12x+9

Special Products

In this section, the goal is to recognize certain special products that occur often in our study of algebra. We will develop three formulas that will be very useful as we move along. The three should be memorized. We begin by considering the following two calculations:

(a+b)2=(a+b)(a+b)(ab)2=(ab)(ab)=a2+ab+ba+b2=a2abba+b2=a2+ab+ab+b2=a2abab+b2=a2+2ab+b2=a22ab+b2

This leads us to two formulas that describe perfect square trinomials:

(a+b)2=a2+2ab+b2

(ab)2=a22ab+b2

We can use these formulas to quickly square a binomial.

Example 5.4.10

Multiply:

(3x+5)2.

Solution:

Here a=3x and b=5. Apply the formula:

(a+b)2=a2+2ab+b2(3x+5)2=(3x)2+2(3x)(5)+(5)2=9x2+30x+25

Answer:

9x2+30x+25

This process should become routine enough to be performed mentally.

Example 5.4.11

Multiply:

(x4)2.

Solution:

Here a=x and b=4. Apply the appropriate formula as follows:

(ab)2=a22ab+b2(x4)2=(x)22(x)(4)+(4)2=x28x+16

Answer:

x28x+16

Our third special product follows:

(a+b)(ab)=a2ab+bab2=a2ab+abb2=a2b2

This product is called difference of squares:

(a+b)(ab)=a2b2

The binomials (a+b) and (ab) are called conjugate binomials. Therefore, when conjugate binomials are multiplied, the middle term eliminates, and the product is itself a binomial.

Example 5.4.12

Multiply:

(7x+4)(7x4).

Solution:

Answer:

49x216

Exercise 5.4.4

Multiply:

(5x+2)2.

Answer

25x220x+4

Multiplying Polynomial Functions

We use function notation to indicate multiplication as follows:

Multiplication of functions: (fg)(x)=f(x)g(x)
Table 5.4.1
Example 5.4.13

Calculate:

(fg)(x), given f(x)=5x2 and g(x)=x2+2x3.

Solution:

Multiply all terms of the trinomial by the monomial function f(x).

(fg)(x)=f(x)g(x)=5x2(x2+2x3)=5x4+10x315x2

Answer:

(fg)(x)=5x4+10x315x2

Example 5.4.14

Calculate:

(fg)(1), given f(x)=x+3 and g(x)=4x23x+6.

Solution:

First, determine (fg)(x).

(fg)(x)=f(x)g(x)=(x+3)(4x23x+6)=4x3+3x26x+12x29x+18=4x3+15x215x+18

We have

\((f\cdot g)(x) = -4x^{3}+15x^{2}-15x+18

Next, substitute 1 for the variable x.

(fg)(1)=4(1)3+15(1)215(1)+18=4(1)+151+15+18=4+15+15+18=52

Answer:

(fg)(1)=52

Because (fg)(1)=f(1)g(1), we could alternatively calculate f(1) and g(1) separately and then multiply the results (try this as an exercise). However, if we were asked to evaluate multiple values for the function (fg)(x), it would be best to first determine the general form, as we have in the previous example.

Key Takeaways

  • To multiply a polynomial by a monomial, apply the distributive property and then simplify each of the resulting terms.
  • To multiply polynomials, multiply each term in the first polynomial with each term in the second polynomial. Then combine like terms.
  • The product of an n-term polynomial and an m-term polynomial results in an m×n term polynomial before like terms are combined.
  • Check results by evaluating values in the original expression and in your answer to verify that the results are the same.
  • Use the formulas for special products to quickly multiply binomials that occur often in algebra.
Exercise 5.4.5 Product of a Monomial and a Polynomial

Multiply.

  1. 5x(3x2y)
  2. (2x3y2)(3xy4)
  3. 12(4x3)
  4. 34(23x6)
  5. 3x(5x2)
  6. 4x(2x1)
  7. x2(3x+2)
  8. 6x2(5x+3)
  9. 2ab(4a2b)
  10. 5a2b(a2b2)
  11. 6x2y3(3x3y+xy2)
  12. 3ab3(5ab3+6a2b)
  13. 12x2y(4xy10)
  14. 3x4y2(3x8y3)
  15. 2x2(5x3)(3x4)
  16. 4ab(a2b3c)(a4b2c4)
  17. 2(5x23x+4)
  18. 45(25x250xy+5y2)
  19. 3x(5x22x+3)
  20. x(x2+x1)
  21. x2(3x25x7)
  22. x3(4x27x+9)
  23. 14x4(8x32x2+12x5)
  24. 13x3(32x523x3+92x1)
  25. a2b(a23ab+b2)
  26. 6a2bc3(2a3b+c2)
  27. 23xy2(9x3y27xy+3xy3)
  28. 3x2y2(12x210xy6y2)
  29. Find the product of 3x and 2x23x+5.
  30. Find the product of 8y and y22y+12.
  31. Find the product of 4x and x43x3+2x27x+8.
  32. Find the product of 3xy2 and 2x2y+4xyxy2.
Answer

1. 15x3y

3. 2x32

5. 15x26x

7. 3x3+2x2

9. 8a2b4ab2

11. 18x5y4+6x3y5

13. 2x3y2+5x2y

15. 30x9

17. 10x2+6x8

19. 15x36x2+9x

21. 3x45x37x2

23. 2x712x6+18x554x4

25. a4b3a3b2+a2b3

27. 6x4y318x2y3+2x2y5

29. 6x39x2+15x

31. 4x5+12x48x3+28x232x

Exercise 5.4.6 Product of a Binomial and a Polynomial

Multiply.

  1. (3x2)(x+4)
  2. (x+2)(x3)
  3. (x1)(x+1)
  4. (3x1)(3x+1)
  5. (2x5)(x+3)
  6. (5x2)(3x+4)
  7. (3x+1)(x1)
  8. (x+5)(x+1)
  9. (y23)(y+23)
  10. (12x+13)(32x23)
  11. (34x+15)(14x+25)
  12. (15x+310)(35x52)
  13. (y22)(y+2)
  14. (y31)(y2+2)
  15. (a2b2)(a2+b2)
  16. (a23b)2
  17. (x5)(2x2+3x+4)
  18. (3x1)(x24x+7)
  19. (2x3)(4x2+6x+9)
  20. (5x+1)(25x25x+1)
  21. (x12)(3x2+4x1)
  22. (13x14)(3x2+9x3)
  23. (x+3)3
  24. (x2)3
  25. (3x1)3
  26. (2x+y)3
  27. (5x2)(2x34x2+3x2)
  28. (x22)(x32x2+x+1)
Answer

1. 3x2+10x8

3. x21

5. 2x2+x15

7. 3x2+4x1

9. y249

11. 316x2+720x+225

13. y3+2y22y4

15. a4b4

17. 2x37x211x20

19. 8x327

21. 3x3+52x23x+12

23. x3+9x2+27x+27

25. 27x327x2+9x1

27. 10x424x3+23x216x+4

Exercise 5.4.7 Product of Polynomials

Multiply.

  1. (x2x+1)(x2+2x+1)
  2. (3x22x1)(2x2+3x4)
  3. (2x23x+5)(x2+5x1)
  4. (a+b+c)(abc)
  5. (a+2bc)2
  6. (x+y+z)2
  7. (x3)4
  8. (x+y)4
  9. Find the volume of a rectangular solid with sides measuring x,x+2, and x+4 units.
  10. Find the volume of a cube where each side measures x5 units.
Answer

1. x4+x3+x+1

3. 2x4+7x312x2+28x5

5. a2+4ab2ac+4b24bc+c2

7. x412x3+54x2108x+81

9. x3+6x2+8x

Exercise 5.4.8 Special Products

Multiply.

  1. (x+2)2
  2. (x3)2
  3. (2x+5)2
  4. (3x7)2
  5. (x+2)2
  6. (9x+1)2
  7. (a+6)2
  8. (2a3b)2
  9. (23x+34)2
  10. (12x35)2
  11. (x2+2)2
  12. (x2+y2)2
  13. (x+4)(x4)
  14. (2x+1)(2x1)
  15. (5x+3)(5x3)
  16. (15x13)(15x+13)
  17. (32x+25)(32x25)
  18. (2x3y)(2x+3y)
  19. (4xy)(4x+y)
  20. (a3b3)(a3+b3)
  21. A box is made by cutting out the corners and folding up the edges of a square piece of cardboard. A template for a cardboard box with a height of 2 inches is given. Find a formula for the volume, if the initial piece of cardboard is a square with sides measuring x inches.
    Screenshot (369).png
    Figure 5.4.5
  22. A template for a cardboard box with a height of x inches is given. Find a formula for the volume, if the initial piece of cardboard is a square with sides measuring 12 inches.
    Screenshot (370).png
    Figure 5.4.6
Answer

1. x2+4x+4

3. 4x2+20x+25

5. x24x+4

7. a2+12a+36

9. 49x2+x+916

11. x4+4x2+4

13. x216

15. 25x29

17. 94x2425

19. 16x2y2

21. V=2x216x+32 cubic inches

Exercise 5.4.9 Multiplying Polynomial Functions

For each problem, calculate (fg)(x), given the functions.

  1. f(x)=8x and g(x)=3x5
  2. f(x)=x2 and g(x)=5x+1
  3. f(x)=x7 and g(x)=6x1
  4. f(x)=5x+3 and g(x)=x2+2x3
  5. f(x)=x2+6x3 and g(x)=2x23x+5
  6. f(x)=3x2x+1 and g(x)=x2+2x1
Answer

1. (fg)(x)=24x240x

3. (fg)(x)=6x243x+7

5. (fg)(x)=2x4+9x319x2+39x15

Exercise 5.4.10 Multiplying Polynomial Functions

Given f(x)=2x3 and g(x)=3x1, find the following

  1. (fg)(x)
  2. (gf)(x)
  3. (fg)(0)
  4. (fg)(1)
  5. (fg)(1)
  6. (fg)(12)
Answer

1. (fg)(x)=6x211x+3

3. (fg)(0)=3

5. (fg)(1)=2

Exercise 5.4.11 Multiplying Polynomial Functions

Given f(x)=5x1 and g(x)=2x24x+5, find the following.

  1. (fg)(x)
  2. (gf)(x)
  3. (fg)(0)
  4. (fg)(1)
  5. (fg)(1)
  6. (fg)(12)
  7. (ff)(x)
  8. (gg)(x)
Answer

1. (fg)(x)=10x322x2+29x5

3. (fg)(0)=5

5. (fg)(1)=12

7. (ff)(x)=25x210x+1

Exercise 5.4.12 Discussion Board Topics
  1. Explain why (x+y)2x2+y2.
  2. Explain how to quickly multiply a binomial with its conjugate. Give an example.
  3. What are the advantages and disadvantages of using the mnemonic device FOIL?
Answer

1. Answers may vary

3. Answers may vary


This page titled 5.4: Multiplying Polynomials is shared under a CC BY-NC-SA 3.0 license and was authored, remixed, and/or curated by Anonymous via source content that was edited to the style and standards of the LibreTexts platform.

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