Multiplying Polynomials

After going over last night's homework assignment (to finish yesterday's packet), we compared 4 different ways to multiply polynomials: tiles, Punnet Square, FOIL, and distribution. Students are encouraged to use whichever method works the best for them. We discussed how to multiply monomials (one term times another).

Example: 4x²y * -6x³y²

1. Multiply the coeffiecients together: 4 * -6 = -24
2. Multiply the variables together by adding exponents: x² * x³ = x⁵ and y * y² = y³
3. Write the product: -24x⁵y³

We also practiced multiplying polynomials. See yesterday's blog for examples of the tiles and Punnet square methods. FOILing and distributing requires us to multiply each term in the first polynomial times each term in the second polynomial. Finish by collecting like terms. Remember, do not change the exponents when collecting like terms (adding/subtracting). [FOILing stands for First, Outer, Inner, and Last. Those are the pairs of terms based on location to multiply. It ONLY works when multiplying a binomial (2 terms) times another binomial (2 terms) such as (4x + 2) (5x - 8).]

Example: (4x + 3) (5x² - 2x + 10)

= 4x (5x²) + 4x (-2x) + 4x (10) + 3 (5x²) + 3 (-2x) + 3 (10)

= 20x³ - 8x² + 40x + 15x² - 6x + 30

= 20x³ + 7x² + 34x + 30

Homework: Page 67: #2 - 20 even AND Page 71: #2 - 18 even

Remember, there will be a quiz next Tuesday covering this week's lessons.

Enjoy your 3 day weekend from school!!!

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