Question

Simplify the following expression: (3x+4)(x-1)(x-3)

Answer 1

3x^3-8x^2 -7x+12....

Answer 2

3x³ - 8x² - 7x + 12

Explanation:

We multiply these terms, (so expand the brackets). Referring to the diagram attached, we multiply the first terms, outer terms, inner terms, and last terms.

Let's first look at the first two (we will do something about the third brackets later):

(3x+4)(x-1)

Firsts:

3x²

Outer:

-3x

Inner:

4x

Last:

-4

Now we combine:

3x² - 3x + 4x - 4

= 3x² + x - 4

So from the whole equation, we now have this:

(3x² + x - 4)(x - 3)

We do a similar thing here.

3x³ - 9x² + x² - 3x - 4x + 12

Simplify:

3x³ - 8x² - 7x + 12