Multiplying Polynomials Using Distribution

There are different methods for multiplying polynomials. One method is to use an area model, but another way to multiply polynomials without having to draw diagrams, is to multiply polynomials using distribution. In order to understand multiplying polynomials using distribution, we need knowledge of multiplying monomials and binomials and to know the rules of multiplying exponents.

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When you're multiplying polynomials you could use the area model or the table where you're drawing rectangles and finding the area that way or you can just be really careful using the distributing property, just make sure if you choose to use distributing, that you're being specially careful with the minus signs the negative signs. A lot of times the only errors student make students make when they're trying to multiply polynomials using distributing is that they lose the minus sign here or there.

Once you have each term from the first polynomial, distribute it on to each term of the second polynomial you go through and you combine like terms to find your final answer.

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