Expand the product (x + 4)(x - 2).

Expand the product (x + 4)(x - 2).

• A. x^2 + 6x - 8
• B. x^2 - 2x - 8
• C. x^2 + 2x - 8
• D. x^2 - 2x + 8

Answer: (C)

Expanding binomials involves distributing each term of one binomial across the other and then combining like terms. Multiply x by x to get x^2, x by -2 to get -2x, 4 by x to get 4x, and 4 by -2 to get -8. Now combine the cross terms -2x and 4x to get +2x. Putting it all together gives x^2 + 2x - 8. The +2x comes from adding the cross terms, and the -8 is the product of the constants.

Expanding binomials involves distributing each term of one binomial across the other and then combining like terms. Multiply x by x to get x^2, x by -2 to get -2x, 4 by x to get 4x, and 4 by -2 to get -8. Now combine the cross terms -2x and 4x to get +2x. Putting it all together gives x^2 + 2x - 8. The +2x comes from adding the cross terms, and the -8 is the product of the constants.