Matt is asked to simplify x + x2 + x3 + 3x. Here is what he does:
x + x2 + x3 + 3x = 4x + x2 + x3
= 4x3 + x3
= 5x3
Did Matt do this problem correctly or incorrectly? If he did it correctly, then what math laws did he follow? If he did it incorrectly, then what math laws did he break?

Question

Matt is asked to simplify x + x2 + x3 + 3x. Here is what he does:
x + x2 + x3 + 3x = 4x + x2 + x3
= 4x3 + x3
= 5x3
Did Matt do this problem correctly or incorrectly? If he did it correctly, then what math laws did he follow? If he did it incorrectly, then what math laws did he break?

anonymous · Answer

just need to know the laws he broke

jamierox4ev3r · Answer

he didn't multiply the like terms. for example, you can't add x and x^2 together. So ultimately, his simplification was incorrect

anonymous · Answer

thank you!

jamierox4ev3r · Answer

np :)

anonymous · Answer

can you help with a few more plz??

jamierox4ev3r · Answer

sure

anonymous · Answer

Matt is asked to factor the following: x2 + 3x + 2, but he is stuck after starting the “area” model. His starting point is below. Finish the factoring for him using our area model and describe in words what you are thinking

jamierox4ev3r · Answer

so to factor this… you would start with this:

(x+___)(x+___)

jamierox4ev3r · Answer

then you would fill in what the numbers that simultaneously multiply into 2 and add into three. following me so far?

anonymous · Answer

yes I think so !

jamierox4ev3r · Answer

right…so what are some factors of 2?

jamierox4ev3r · Answer

@honneybee ?

anonymous · Answer

sorry internet is slow right now and 1and 2  cuz 2 is a prime

jamierox4ev3r · Answer

that's right :) and because 2+1=3, we know that the final answering to the factoring is 

(x+2)(x+1)

to check your work, you can use the FOIL method

anonymous · Answer

x^2+3x+2

jamierox4ev3r · Answer

yep…and that's the same as what we started with, so that's the correct thing :)

jamierox4ev3r · Answer

do you understand?

anonymous · Answer

yes :)

anonymous · Answer

We can write a square root as a power of 0.5 (or one half). 
For example, (32)^0.5 = 5.66. Try this with your calculator! 
a. Use this notation of a fractional power and a property of exponents (from Unit 1) to prove the following: This is challenging, but try it! 

√ a * b = √a * b √

jamierox4ev3r · Answer

so what exactly are you trying to do here?

anonymous · Answer

sorry wrong one hold on

anonymous · Answer

What do you think it means when the weather report says, “There is a 30% chance of rain today?” How do you think they calculate that?