Algebra Practice Test

To find the product of the expression (x + 3)(x - 2), we use the distributive property, often referred to as the FOIL method for binomials. This involves multiplying each term in the first binomial by each term in the second binomial.

1. First, we multiply the first terms:

- x * x = x².

2. Next, we multiply the outer terms:

- x * (-2) = -2x.

3. Then, we multiply the inner terms:

- 3 * x = 3x.

4. Finally, we multiply the last terms:

- 3 * (-2) = -6.

Now, we combine all these results:

- The first product gives us x².

- The outer and inner products combine as -2x + 3x, which simplifies to +1x or simply x.

- The last product gives us -6.

Putting it all together, we get x² + x - 6, which clearly matches the correct answer. Understanding this process of multiplying binomials helps ensure accuracy and builds a strong foundation in algebraic manipulations.