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( x + 5 ) ( x 5 ) = x 2 25 ( x + 11 ) ( x 11 ) = x 2 121 ( 2 x + 3 ) ( 2 x 3 ) = 4 x 2 9

Because the sign changes in the second binomial, the outer and inner terms cancel each other out, and we are left only with the square of the first term minus the square of the last term.

Is there a special form for the sum of squares?

No. The difference of squares occurs because the opposite signs of the binomials cause the middle terms to disappear. There are no two binomials that multiply to equal a sum of squares.

Difference of squares

When a binomial is multiplied by a binomial with the same terms separated by the opposite sign, the result is the square of the first term minus the square of the last term.

( a + b ) ( a b ) = a 2 b 2

Given a binomial multiplied by a binomial with the same terms but the opposite sign, find the difference of squares.

  1. Square the first term of the binomials.
  2. Square the last term of the binomials.
  3. Subtract the square of the last term from the square of the first term.

Multiplying binomials resulting in a difference of squares

Multiply ( 9 x + 4 ) ( 9 x 4 ) .

Square the first term to get ( 9 x ) 2 = 81 x 2 . Square the last term to get 4 2 = 16. Subtract the square of the last term from the square of the first term to find the product of 81 x 2 16.

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Multiply ( 2 x + 7 ) ( 2 x 7 ) .

4 x 2 −49

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Performing operations with polynomials of several variables

We have looked at polynomials containing only one variable. However, a polynomial can contain several variables. All of the same rules apply when working with polynomials containing several variables. Consider an example:

( a + 2 b ) ( 4 a b c ) a ( 4 a b c ) + 2 b ( 4 a b c ) Use the distributive property . 4 a 2 a b a c + 8 a b 2 b 2 2 b c Multiply . 4 a 2 + ( a b + 8 a b ) a c 2 b 2 2 b c Combine like terms . 4 a 2 + 7 a b a c 2 b c 2 b 2 Simplify .

Multiplying polynomials containing several variables

Multiply ( x + 4 ) ( 3 x 2 y + 5 ) .

Follow the same steps that we used to multiply polynomials containing only one variable.

x ( 3 x 2 y + 5 ) + 4 ( 3 x 2 y + 5 )   Use the distributive property . 3 x 2 2 x y + 5 x + 12 x 8 y + 20 Multiply . 3 x 2 2 x y + ( 5 x + 12 x ) 8 y + 20 Combine like terms . 3 x 2 2 x y + 17 x 8 y + 20   Simplify .
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Multiply ( 3 x 1 ) ( 2 x + 7 y 9 ) .

6 x 2 + 21 x y −29 x −7 y + 9

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Access these online resources for additional instruction and practice with polynomials.

Key equations

perfect square trinomial ( x + a ) 2 = ( x + a ) ( x + a ) = x 2 + 2 a x + a 2
difference of squares ( a + b ) ( a b ) = a 2 b 2

Key concepts

  • A polynomial is a sum of terms each consisting of a variable raised to a non-negative integer power. The degree is the highest power of the variable that occurs in the polynomial. The leading term is the term containing the highest degree, and the leading coefficient is the coefficient of that term. See [link] .
  • We can add and subtract polynomials by combining like terms. See [link] and [link] .
  • To multiply polynomials, use the distributive property to multiply each term in the first polynomial by each term in the second. Then add the products. See [link] .
  • FOIL (First, Outer, Inner, Last) is a shortcut that can be used to multiply binomials. See [link] .
  • Perfect square trinomials and difference of squares are special products. See [link] and [link] .
  • Follow the same rules to work with polynomials containing several variables. See [link] .

Section exercises

Verbal

Evaluate the following statement: The degree of a polynomial in standard form is the exponent of the leading term. Explain why the statement is true or false.

The statement is true. In standard form, the polynomial with the highest value exponent is placed first and is the leading term. The degree of a polynomial is the value of the highest exponent, which in standard form is also the exponent of the leading term.

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Many times, multiplying two binomials with two variables results in a trinomial. This is not the case when there is a difference of two squares. Explain why the product in this case is also a binomial.

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You can multiply polynomials with any number of terms and any number of variables using four basic steps over and over until you reach the expanded polynomial. What are the four steps?

Use the distributive property, multiply, combine like terms, and simplify.

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State whether the following statement is true and explain why or why not: A trinomial is always a higher degree than a monomial.

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Algebraic

For the following exercises, identify the degree of the polynomial.

14 m 3 + m 2 16 m + 8

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200 p 30 p 2 m + 40 m 3

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6 y 4 y 5 + 3 y 4

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For the following exercises, find the sum or difference.

( 12 x 2 + 3 x ) ( 8 x 2 −19 )

4 x 2 + 3 x + 19

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( 4 z 3 + 8 z 2 z ) + ( −2 z 2 + z + 6 )

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( 6 w 2 + 24 w + 24 ) ( 3 w 2 6 w + 3 )

3 w 2 + 30 w + 21

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( 7 a 3 + 6 a 2 4 a 13 ) + ( 3 a 3 4 a 2 + 6 a + 17 )

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( 11 b 4 6 b 3 + 18 b 2 4 b + 8 ) ( 3 b 3 + 6 b 2 + 3 b )

11 b 4 −9 b 3 + 12 b 2 −7 b + 8

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( 49 p 2 25 ) + ( 16 p 4 32 p 2 + 16 )

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For the following exercises, find the product.

( 4 x + 2 ) ( 6 x 4 )

24 x 2 −4 x −8

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( 14 c 2 + 4 c ) ( 2 c 2 3 c )

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( 6 b 2 6 ) ( 4 b 2 4 )

24 b 4 −48 b 2 + 24

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( 3 d 5 ) ( 2 d + 9 )

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( 9 v 11 ) ( 11 v 9 )

99 v 2 −202 v + 99

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( 4 t 2 + 7 t ) ( −3 t 2 + 4 )

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( 8 n 4 ) ( n 2 + 9 )

8 n 3 −4 n 2 + 72 n −36

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For the following exercises, expand the binomial.

( 3 y 7 ) 2

9 y 2 −42 y + 49

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( 4 p + 9 ) 2

16 p 2 + 72 p + 81

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( 3 y 6 ) 2

9 y 2 −36 y + 36

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For the following exercises, multiply the binomials.

( 4 c + 1 ) ( 4 c 1 )

16 c 2 −1

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( 9 a 4 ) ( 9 a + 4 )

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( 15 n 6 ) ( 15 n + 6 )

225 n 2 −36

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( 25 b + 2 ) ( 25 b 2 )

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( 4 + 4 m ) ( 4 4 m )

−16 m 2 + 16

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( 14 p + 7 ) ( 14 p 7 )

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( 11 q 10 ) ( 11 q + 10 )

121 q 2 −100

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For the following exercises, multiply the polynomials.

( 2 x 2 + 2 x + 1 ) ( 4 x 1 )

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( 4 t 2 + t 7 ) ( 4 t 2 1 )

16 t 4 + 4 t 3 −32 t 2 t + 7

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( x 1 ) ( x 2 2 x + 1 )

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( y 2 ) ( y 2 4 y 9 )

y 3 −6 y 2 y + 18

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( 6 k 5 ) ( 6 k 2 + 5 k 1 )

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( 3 p 2 + 2 p 10 ) ( p 1 )

3 p 3 p 2 −12 p + 10

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( 4 m 13 ) ( 2 m 2 7 m + 9 )

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( a + b ) ( a b )

a 2 b 2

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( 4 x 6 y ) ( 6 x 4 y )

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( 4 t 5 u ) 2

16 t 2 −40 t u + 25 u 2

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( 9 m + 4 n 1 ) ( 2 m + 8 )

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( 4 t x ) ( t x + 1 )

4 t 2 + x 2 + 4 t −5 t x x

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( b 2 1 ) ( a 2 + 2 a b + b 2 )

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( 4 r d ) ( 6 r + 7 d )

24 r 2 + 22 r d −7 d 2

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( x + y ) ( x 2 x y + y 2 )

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Real-world applications

A developer wants to purchase a plot of land to build a house. The area of the plot can be described by the following expression: ( 4 x + 1 ) ( 8 x 3 ) where x is measured in meters. Multiply the binomials to find the area of the plot in standard form.

32 x 2 −4 x −3 m 2

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A prospective buyer wants to know how much grain a specific silo can hold. The area of the floor of the silo is ( 2 x + 9 ) 2 . The height of the silo is 10 x + 10 , where x is measured in feet. Expand the square and multiply by the height to find the expression that shows how much grain the silo can hold.

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Extensions

For the following exercises, perform the given operations.

( 4 t 7 ) 2 ( 2 t + 1 ) ( 4 t 2 + 2 t + 11 )

32 t 3 100 t 2 + 40 t + 38

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( 3 b + 6 ) ( 3 b 6 ) ( 9 b 2 36 )

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( a 2 + 4 a c + 4 c 2 ) ( a 2 4 c 2 )

a 4 + 4 a 3 c −16 a c 3 −16 c 4

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Questions & Answers

how does the planets on our solar system orbit
cheten Reply
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Issan Reply
Astronomy (from Ancient Greek ἀστρονομία (astronomía) 'science that studies the laws of the stars') is a natural science that studies celestial objects and phenomena. It uses mathematics, physics, and chemistry in order to explain their origin and evolution.
Rafael
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Rosemary
No
Richard
the big bang theory is a theory which states that all matter was compressed together in one place the matter got so unstable it exploded releasing All its contents in the form of hydrogen
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I want to be an astronomer. That's my dream
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Who named the the whole galaxy?
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solar Univers
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Richard
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is the big bang the sun
Folakemi Reply
no
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bigbang is the beginning of the universe
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but thats just a theory
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nothing will happen, don't worry brother.
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what does comet means
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these are Rocky substances between mars and jupiter
GANGAIN
Comets are cosmic snowballs of frozen gases , rock and dust that orbit the sun. They are mostly found between the orbits of Venus and Mercury.
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hey can anyone guide me abt international astronomy olympiad
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how can we learn right and true ?
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why the moon is always appear in an elliptical shape
Gatjuol Reply
Because when astroid hit the Earth then a piece of elliptical shape of the earth was separated which is now called moon.
Hemen
what's see level?
lidiya Reply
Did you mean eye sight or sea level
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oh sorry it's sea level
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according to the theory of astronomers why the moon is always appear in an elliptical orbit?
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hi !!! I am new in astronomy.... I have so many questions in mind .... all of scientists of the word they just give opinion only. but they never think true or false ... i respect all of them... I believes whole universe depending on true ...থিউরি
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we're all stars and galaxies a part of sun. how can science prove thx with respect old ancient times picture or books..or anything with respect to present time .but we r a part of that universe
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another theory of universe except big ban
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how was universe born
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there many theory to born universe but what is the reality of big bang theory to born universe
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by big bang
universal
there are many theories regarding this it's on you believe any theory that you think is true ex. eternal inflation theory, oscillation model theory, multiple universe theory the big bang theory etc.
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I think after Big Bang!
Michele
from where on earth could u observe all the stars during the during the course of an year
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I think it couldn't possible on earth
Nagalakshmi
in this time i don't Know
Michele
is that so. the question was in the end of this chapter
Karuna
in theory, you could see them all from the equator (though over the course of a year, not at pne time). stars are measured in "declination", which is how far N or S of the equator (90* to -90*). Polaris is the North star, and is ALMOST 90* (+89*). So it would just barely creep over the horizon.
Christopher
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Source:  OpenStax, Algebra and trigonometry. OpenStax CNX. Nov 14, 2016 Download for free at https://legacy.cnx.org/content/col11758/1.6
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