MBRA: Multiplying Polynomials

We are going to make use of our technique for multiplying mixed numbers.

Example: (X + 3) × (X + 2):

1. We start by drawing a picture of the multiplication. This is very similar to the picture(s) we would have drawn for Mixed Number multiplication:

   	X + 3
   X + 2

2. Next, we break the polynomials up into the constituent parts.

   Our picture then looks like this:

   	X	+ 3
   X
   + 2

3. We can then solve for the value of each piece:
   • X × X = X²
   • X × 3 = 3X
   • X × 2 = 2X
   • 2 × 3 = 6

   	X	+ 3
   X	X2	3X
   + 2	2X	6

4. Now, we add the four pieces together. The pieces are:
   • X × X = X²
   • X × 3 = 3X
   • X × 2 = 2X
   • 2 × 3 = 6
   Our final answer will be X² + 3X + 2X + 6.

   Which is: X² + 5X + 6