Multiplying polynomials

The  exercise appears under the Algebra I Math Mission. This exercise multiplies polynomials of varying difficulty but in one variable.

Types of Problems
There is one type of problem in this exercise:


 * 1) Multiply the polynomials: This problem asks for the product of two polynomials. The student is expected to write the answer in an answer box provided on the right-hand side of the screen.Mulpoly1.png

Strategies
Knowledge of multiplication properties, specifically the distributive property, are key to doing this exercise accurately and efficiently.
 * 1) The problems in this exercise range in difficulty from monomials against polynomials (distributive property) to binomials by trinomials (six terms).
 * 2) A chart-method is useful to ensure accuracy as it can keep track of the separate terms until one is ready to collect the like terms.

Real-life Applications

 * 1) Polynomials can be used via power series to represent many complicated functions and calculus is simpler to perform on polynomials than other functions. Thus any comfort with polynomials should increase calculus ability.
 * 2) Factoring polynomials is an important skill in solving inequalities and equations with polynomials.
 * 3) Factoring polynomials can be used for solving equations with polynomials, such as those that appear in many business models.