Find the Product 3x(5x^2-x+4)
The question is asking for the result of multiplying a monomial, which is \(3x\), by a trinomial, which is \((5x^2 - x + 4)\). The process involves using the distributive property (also known as the distributive law of multiplication) to multiply \(3x\) by each term of the trinomial separately and then combining like terms if necessary. This will result in a polynomial that represents the product of the given expressions.
$3 x \left(\right. 5 x^{2} - x + 4 \left.\right)$
Multiply $3x$ by each term inside the parentheses: $3x(5x^2) + 3x(-x) + 3x(4)$
Rearrange the terms: $3 \cdot 5 \cdot x \cdot x^2 + 3x(-x) + 3 \cdot x \cdot 4$
Further rearrange the terms: $3 \cdot 5 \cdot x \cdot x^2 + 3 \cdot (-1) \cdot x \cdot x + 3 \cdot x \cdot 4$
Multiply the constant $4$ with $3$: $3 \cdot 5 \cdot x \cdot x^2 + 3 \cdot (-1) \cdot x \cdot x + 12 \cdot x$
Place $x^2$ next to $x$: $3 \cdot 5 \cdot (x^2 \cdot x) + 3 \cdot (-1) \cdot x \cdot x + 12 \cdot x$
Write $x$ with an exponent: $3 \cdot 5 \cdot (x^2 \cdot x^1) + 3 \cdot (-1) \cdot x \cdot x + 12 \cdot x$
Combine the exponents: $3 \cdot 5 \cdot x^{2+1} + 3 \cdot (-1) \cdot x \cdot x + 12 \cdot x$
Add the exponents $2$ and $1$: $3 \cdot 5 \cdot x^3 + 3 \cdot (-1) \cdot x \cdot x + 12 \cdot x$
Multiply $3$ by $5$: $15 \cdot x^3 + 3 \cdot (-1) \cdot x \cdot x + 12 \cdot x$
Place $x$ next to itself: $15 \cdot x^3 + 3 \cdot (-1) \cdot (x \cdot x) + 12 \cdot x$
Multiply $x$ by itself: $15 \cdot x^3 + 3 \cdot (-1) \cdot x^2 + 12 \cdot x$
Multiply $3$ by $-1$: $15 \cdot x^3 - 3 \cdot x^2 + 12 \cdot x$
The problem-solving process involves the following key mathematical concepts:
Distributive Property: This property states that $a(b + c) = ab + ac$. It allows us to multiply a single term by each term inside a set of parentheses.
Commutative Property of Multiplication: This property states that $ab = ba$. It allows us to rearrange the factors in a multiplication without changing the product.
Multiplication of Constants and Variables: When multiplying constants (numbers) or variables (like $x$), we simply multiply the numerical coefficients and add the exponents if the bases are the same.
Power Rule for Exponents: The power rule states that $a^m \cdot a^n = a^{m+n}$. When multiplying like bases, we add the exponents.
Simplification: This is the process of combining like terms and reducing expressions to their simplest form.
In this problem, we applied these concepts to multiply a monomial, $3x$, by a trinomial, $5x^2 - x + 4$, to find the product.