Example

Multiplying (4y+3)(2y5)(4y + 3)(2y - 5) Using the Distributive Property

Multiply (4y+3)(2y5)(4y + 3)(2y - 5) by applying the Distributive Property twice — this product involves a subtraction in the second binomial, which introduces negative terms.

Step 1 — Distribute (2y5)(2y - 5) to each term of the first binomial: Treat (2y5)(2y - 5) as a single unit and distribute it to 4y4y and 33:

4y(2y5)+3(2y5)4y(2y - 5) + 3(2y - 5)

Step 2 — Distribute again within each product: For the first part: 4y2y=8y24y \cdot 2y = 8y^2 and 4y(5)=20y4y \cdot (-5) = -20y. For the second part: 32y=6y3 \cdot 2y = 6y and 3(5)=153 \cdot (-5) = -15:

8y220y+6y158y^2 - 20y + 6y - 15

Step 3 — Combine like terms: The middle terms 20y-20y and 6y6y are like terms with different signs: 20+6=14-20 + 6 = -14:

8y214y158y^2 - 14y - 15

The result is 8y214y158y^2 - 14y - 15. When one binomial contains a subtraction, the distributed products include negative terms. Careful attention to sign rules during multiplication — a positive times a negative yields a negative — is essential to avoid errors in the expanded expression.

Image 0

0

1

Updated 2026-04-29

Contributors are:

Who are from:

Tags

OpenStax

Elementary Algebra @ OpenStax

Ch.6 Polynomials - Elementary Algebra @ OpenStax

Algebra

Math

Prealgebra

Intermediate Algebra @ OpenStax

Ch.5 Polynomials and Polynomial Functions - Intermediate Algebra @ OpenStax

Related
Learn After