How do you simplify #(x- 2) ( x + 9) #?

2 Answers
Oct 8, 2017

#x^2 + 7x - 18#

Explanation:

You distribute:
#x^2 + 9x - 2x - 18#
#=x^2+7x-18#

Oct 9, 2017

#x^2+7x-18#

Explanation:

#"each term in the second factor is multiplied by each"#
#"term in the first factor"#

#rArr(color(red)(x-2))(x+9)#

#=color(red)(x)(x+9)color(red)(-2)(x+9)#

#=(color(red)(x)xx x)+(color(red)(x)xx9)+(color(red)(-2)xx x)+(color(red) (-2)xx9)#

#=x^2+9x-2x-18larr" collect like terms"#

#=x^2+7x-18#