Question

Could anyone walk me through on how to simplify this polynomial?
4x + 1 • 2x • 3x • 4x + 1

Answer 1

Are the 4x + 1 terms in parentheses?

Answer 2

No, this is how the problem was shown.

Answer 3

Ok, so just multiply the terms in the middle, leave the 4x and the 1 alone because they are terms that are already in simplest form. The numbers 2, 3, and 4 get multiplied together and the x' s get raised to a power.

Answer 4

So, would that make it 24^3 for the three numbers?

Answer 5

I am not completely sure I understand..

Answer 6

Ok, you got the 24, but the number doesn't get raised to a power just the variable x, because x times x times x is x^3. So you have the simplified term of 24 times x raised to the 3 power. That is the product of the numbers in the middle of your expression. Now don't forget to write the other terms in your answer, the 4x and the 1. They can't be combined with any other terms because they are not like terms.

Answer 7

Oh, I think I get it. Would my answer be 13x + 2?

Answer 8

Remember the 4x just stays since it can't be combined with any other term and same goes for the last term + 1. You are just multiplying the numbers and variables in the middle term. You said you had 24 for 2*3*4, and the x is raised to the third power. You have three terms in your answer. Do you know the answer now?

Answer 9

This is the original image that relates to the question if it helps.

Answer 10

If you are finding the perimeter, you need to add these not multiple, so the problem would be 4x +1 + 2x + 3x + 4x +1 . Just combine all the x values by adding the numbers together and add the two 1's. yes, your answer is correct 13x + 2.

Answer 11

Ah, I see. Thank you very much!