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Section 1.8

Multiplication of Algebraic Expressions

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I. Multiplying Monomials

• Multiply the numerical coefficients; then multiply the literal numbers (variables) using the properties of exponents.

2 84 3 2x x

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3 3116

2a b ab c

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II. Multiplying Monomial by Multinomial

• Use the distributive property and properties of exponents

• Watch out for a negative coefficient in front of the parentheses.

2 25 3 16xy x xy y

2 5a a

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III. Multiplying Binomial by Binomial

• Use the distributive property twice (FOIL)

28 5 4 3x x m

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IV. Multiplying Binomial by Trinomial

• Use the distributive property to multiply each term of the binomial by each term of the trinomial.

2 25 3 3 2a c a ac c