Previously, we have learned to multiply monomials in Section 6.1 (such as \((4xy)\left(3x^2\right)\)) and to add and subtract polynomials in Section 6.2 (such as \((4x^2-3x)+(5x^2+x-2)\)). In this section, we will learn how to multiply polynomials.
Figure6.3.1Alternative Video Lesson
Example6.3.2Revenue
A local organic jam company currently sells about \(1500\) jars a month at a price of \(\$13\) per jar. They have also realized that for every \(25\)-cent increase in the selling price of a jar of jam, they will sell \(50\) fewer jars of jam each month.
In general, this company's revenue can be calculated by multiplying the cost per jar by the total number of jars of jam sold.
If we let \(x\) represent the number of \(25\)-cent increases in the price, then the price per jar will be the current price of thirteen dollars/jar plus \(x\) times \(0.25\) dollars/jar, or \(13+0.25x\text{.}\)
Continuing with \(x\) representing the number of \(25\)-cent increases in the price, we know the company will sell \(50\) fewer jars each time the price increases by \(25\) cents. The number of jars the company will sell will be the \(1500\) they currently sell each month, minus \(50\) jars times \(x\text{,}\) the number of price increases. This gives us the expression \(1500-50x\) to represent how many jars the company will sell after \(x\) \(25\)-cent price increases.
Combining this, we can now write a formula for our revenue model:
\begin{align*}
\text{revenue} \amp= \left(\text{price per item}\right)\left(\text{number of items sold}\right)\\
R \amp= \left(13+0.25x\right)\left(1500-50x\right)
\end{align*}
To simplify the expression \(\left(13+0.25x\right)\left(1500-50x\right)\text{,}\) we'll need to multiply \(13+0.25x\) by \(1500-50x\text{.}\) In this section, we'll learn how to multiply these two expressions that each have multiple terms.
Subsection6.3.1Review of the Distributive Property
The first step in almost every polynomial multiplication exercise will be a step of distribution. Let's quickly review the distributive property from Section 2.8, which states that \(a(b+c)=ab+ac\) where \(a, b\text{,}\) and \(c\) are real numbers or variable expressions.
When we multiply a monomial with a binomial, we apply this property by distributing the monomial to each term in the binomial. For example,
A visual approach to the distributive property is to treat the product as finding a rectangle's area. Such rectangles are referred to as generic rectangles and they can be used to model polynomial multiplication.
The big rectangle consists of two smaller rectangles. The big rectangle's area is \(2x(3x+4)\text{,}\) and the sum of those two smaller rectangles is \(2x\cdot3x+2x\cdot4\text{.}\) Since the sum of the areas of those two smaller rectangles is the same as the bigger rectangle's area, we have:
Generic rectangles are frequently used to visualize the distributive property.
Multiplying a monomial with a polynomial involves two steps: distribution and monomial multiplication. We also need to rely on the rules of exponents 6.1.15 when simplifying.
Checkpoint6.3.4
Checkpoint6.3.5
Checkpoint6.3.6
Remark6.3.7
We can use the distributive property when multiplying on either the left or the right. This means that we can state \(a(b+c)=ab+ac\text{,}\) or that \((b+c)a=ba+ca\text{,}\) which is equivalent to \(ab+ac\text{.}\) As an example,
Whether we're multiplying a monomial with a polynomial or two larger polynomials together, the first step to carrying out the multiplication is a step of distribution. We'll start with multiplying binomials and then move to working with larger polynomials.
We know we can distribute the \(3\) in \((x+2)3\) to obtain \((x+2)\multiplyright{3}=x\multiplyright{3}+2\multiplyright{3}\text{.}\) We can actually distribute anything across \((x+2)\text{.}\) For example:
To finish multiplying, we'll continue by distributing again, but this time across \((x+3)\text{:}\)
\begin{align*}
(x+2)\highlight{(x+3)} \amp= x\highlight{(x+3)} + 2\highlight{(x+3)}\\
\amp= x \cdot x + x \cdot 3 + 2 \cdot x + 2 \cdot 3\\
\amp=x^2+3x+2x+6\\
\amp=x^2+5x+6
\end{align*}
To multiply a binomial by another binomial, we simply had to repeat the step of distribution and simplify the resulting terms. In fact, multiplying any two polynomials will rely upon these same steps.
Multiplying Binomials Using FOIL
While multiplying two binomials requires two applications of the distributive property, people often remember this distribution process using the mnemonic FOIL. FOIL refers to the pairs of terms from each binomial that end up distributed to each other.
If we take another look at the example we just completed, \((x+2)(x+3)\text{,}\) we can highlight how the FOIL process works. FOIL is the acronym for "First, Outer, Inner, Last".
The \(x^2\) term was the result of the product of first terms from each binomial.
O: \(3x\)
The \(3x\) was the result of the product of the outer terms from each binomial. This was from the \(x\) in the front of the first binomial and the \(3\) in the back of the second binomial.
I: \(2x\)
The \(2x\) was the result of the product of the inner terms from each binomial. This was from the \(2\) in the back of the first binomial and the \(x\) in the front of the second binomial.
L: \(6\)
The constant term \(6\) was the result of the product of the last terms of each binomial.
Figure6.3.8Using FOIL Method to multiply \((x+2)(x+3)\)
Multiplying Binomials Using Generic Rectangles
We can also approach this same example using the generic rectangle method. To use generic rectangles, we treat \(x+2\) as the base of a rectangle, and \(x+3\) as the height. Their product, \((x+2)(x+3)\text{,}\) represents the rectangle's area. The next diagram shows how to set up generic rectangles to multiply \((x+2)(x+3)\text{.}\)
Figure6.3.9Setting up Generic Rectangles to Multiply \((x+2)(x+3)\)
The big rectangle consists of four smaller rectangles. We will find each small rectangle's area in the next diagram by the formula \(\text{area}=\text{base}\cdot\text{height}\text{.}\)
Figure6.3.10Using Generic Rectangles to Multiply \((x+2)(x+3)\)
To finish finding this product, we need to add the areas of the four smaller rectangles:
Notice that the areas of the four smaller rectangles are exactly the same as the four terms we obtained using distribution, which are also the same four terms that came from the FOIL method. Both the FOIL method and generic rectangles approach are different ways to represent the distribution that is occurring.
To use the distributive property to multiply those two binomials, we'll first distribute the second binomial across \((2x-3y)\text{.}\) Then we'll distribute again, and simplify the terms that result.
First, Outer, Inner, Last: Either with arrows on paper or mentally in our heads, we'll pair up the four pairs of monomials and multiply those pairs together.
Subsection6.3.3More Examples of Multiplying Binomials
When multiplying binomials, all of the approaches shown in Subsection 6.3.2 will have the same result. The FOIL method is the most direct and will be used in the examples that follow.
Example6.3.16
Multiply and simplify the formula for the jam company's revenue, \(R\) (in dollars), from Example 6.3.2 where \(R= (13+0.25x)(1500-50x)\) and \(x\) represents the number of 25-cent price increases to the selling price of a jar of jam.
An artist sells his paintings at $\(200.00\) per piece. Currently, he can sell \(100\) paintings per year. Thus, his annual income from paintings is \(200\cdot100=20000\) dollars. He plans to raise the price. However, for each $\(20.00\) of price increase per painting, his customers would buy \(5\) fewer paintings annually.
Assume the artist would raise the price of his painting \(x\) times, each time by $\(20.00\text{.}\) Use an expanded polynomial to represent his new income per year.
Currently, each painting costs $\(200.00\text{.}\) After raising the price \(x\) times, each time by $\(20.00\text{,}\) each paintingâs new price would be \(200+20x\) dollars.
Currently, the artist sells \(100\) paintings per year. After raising the price \(x\) times, each time selling \(5\) fewer paintings, he would sell \(100-5x\) paintings per year.
His annual income can be calculated by multiplying each paintingâs price with the number of paintings he would sell:
After raising the price \(x\) times, each time by $\(20.00\text{,}\) the artistâs annual income from paintings would be \(-100x^2+1000x+20000\) dollars.
Checkpoint6.3.18
Checkpoint6.3.19
Subsection6.3.4Multiplying Polynomials Larger Than Binomials
The foundation for multiplying any pair of polynomials is distribution and monomial multiplication. Whether we are working with binomials, trinomials, or larger polynomials, the process is fundamentally the same.
We can approach this product using either distribution generic rectangles. We cannot directly use the FOIL method, although it can be helpful to draw arrows to the six pairs of products that will occur.
Using the distributive property, we begin by distributing across \(\left( x^2-4x+6 \right)\text{,}\) perform a second step of distribution, and then combine like terms.
With the foundation of monomial multiplication and understanding how distribution applies in this context, we are able to find the product of any two polynomials.
Checkpoint6.3.21
SubsectionExercises
Multiplying Monomials with Binomials
1
Find the product of the monomial and the binomial.
\({6x}\left({x+5}\right)=\)
2
Find the product of the monomial and the binomial.
\({9x}\left({x-9}\right)=\)
3
Find the product of the monomial and the binomial.
\({2x}\left({7x+4}\right)=\)
4
Find the product of the monomial and the binomial.
\({-3x}\left({-2x-3}\right)=\)
5
Find the product of the monomial and the binomial.
\({-5x^{2}}\left({x-8}\right)=\)
6
Find the product of the monomial and the binomial.
\({-3x^{2}}\left({x+7}\right)=\)
7
Find the product of the monomial and the binomial.
\({-3y^{2}}\left({-6y^{2}+9y}\right)=\)
8
Find the product of the monomial and the binomial.
\({9r^{2}}\left({-3r^{2}+4r}\right)=\)
9
Find the product of the monomial and the trinomial.
\({-6r^{2}}\left({-10r^{2}-9r+10}\right)=\)
10
Find the product of the monomial and the trinomial.
Applications of Multiplying Monomials with Binomials
17
A rectangleâs length is \(6\) feet shorter than \(4 \text{ times}\) its width. If we use \(w\) to represent the rectangleâs width, use a polynomial to represent the rectangleâs area in expanded form.
\(\displaystyle{ \text{area}=}\) square feet
18
A rectangleâs length is \(7\) feet shorter than \(3 \text{ times}\) its width. If we use \(w\) to represent the rectangleâs width, use a polynomial to represent the rectangleâs area in expanded form.
\(\displaystyle{ \text{area}=}\) square feet
19
A triangleâs height is \(8\) feet longer than \(\text{twice}\) its base. If we use \(b\) to represent the triangleâs base, use a polynomial to represent the triangleâs area in expanded form. A triangleâs area can be calculated by \(A=\frac{1}{2}bh\text{,}\) where \(b\) stands for base, and \(h\) stands for height.
\(\displaystyle{ \text{area}=}\) square feet
20
A triangleâs height is \(10\) feet longer than \(4 \text{ times}\) its base. If we use \(b\) to represent the triangleâs base, use a polynomial to represent the triangleâs area in expanded form. A triangleâs area can be calculated by \(A=\frac{1}{2}bh\text{,}\) where \(b\) stands for base, and \(h\) stands for height.
\(\displaystyle{ \text{area}=}\) square feet
21
A trapezoidâs top base is \(2\) feet longer than its height, and its bottom base is \(6\) feet longer than its height. If we use \(h\) to represent the trapezoidâs height, use a polynomial to represent the trapezoidâs area in expanded form. A trapezoidâs area can be calculated by \(A=\frac{1}{2}(a+b)h\text{,}\) where \(a\) stands for the top base, \(b\) stands for the bottom base, and \(h\) stands for height.
\(\displaystyle{ \text{area}=}\) square feet
22
A trapezoidâs top base is \(2\) feet longer than its height, and its bottom base is \(10\) feet longer than its height. If we use \(h\) to represent the trapezoidâs height, use a polynomial to represent the trapezoidâs area in expanded form. A trapezoidâs area can be calculated by \(A=\frac{1}{2}(a+b)h\text{,}\) where \(a\) stands for the top base, \(b\) stands for the bottom base, and \(h\) stands for height.
A rectangleâs base can be modeled by \({x-2}\) meters, and its height can be modeled by \({x-7}\) meters. Use a polynomial to represent the rectangleâs area in expanded form.
\(\displaystyle{ \text{area}=}\) square meters
59
A rectangleâs base can be modeled by \({x-3}\) meters, and its height can be modeled by \({x-10}\) meters. Use a polynomial to represent the rectangleâs area in expanded form.
\(\displaystyle{ \text{area}=}\) square meters
60
An artist sells his paintings at \({\$13.00}\) per piece. Currently, he can sell \(140\) paintings per year. Thus, his annual income from paintings is \(13\cdot140=1820\) dollars. He plans to raise the price. However, for each \({\$3.00}\) of price increase per painting, his customers would buy \(9\) fewer paintings annually.
Assume the artist would raise the price of his painting \(x\) times, each time by \({\$3.00}\text{.}\) Use an expanded polynomial to represent his new income per year.
\(\displaystyle{ \text{new annual income}=}\)
61
An artist sells his paintings at \({\$14.00}\) per piece. Currently, he can sell \(120\) paintings per year. Thus, his annual income from paintings is \(14\cdot120=1680\) dollars. He plans to raise the price. However, for each \({\$5.00}\) of price increase per painting, his customers would buy \(7\) fewer paintings annually.
Assume the artist would raise the price of his painting \(x\) times, each time by \({\$5.00}\text{.}\) Use an expanded polynomial to represent his new income per year.
\(\displaystyle{ \text{new annual income}=}\)
Multiplying Larger Polynomials
62
Find the product of the binomials with the trinomial
