I can multiply polynomials no matter how many terms they have, or how many polynomials there are.

basically, we are foiling, but we are going to expand that to include multiplying polynomials that are not binomials.

There are two methods for doing this:

Horizontal Method and Vertical Method

What are some things to keep in mind?

1. Remember the rules for exponents when you multiply terms: you cannot combine exponents unless the variables are the same, and you ADD exponents when you multiply their bases

2. There are lots of ways you can go about doing this, but it's important for you to develop a method for yourself that allows you to stay organized and not lose track of anything. Some things that will be helpful for everyone:

• You should show your work in a neat and organized way on separate paper for these problems. You can use lined or unlined paper as you prefer, but keep it neat.

• Get in the habit of showing your work in a consistent way. Make sure that each step of your work is accurate and complete.

• Don't try to fit your work into a space that is too small. Just plan to have plenty of room by using fresh paper and starting your problem on a new page if you don't have space.

• The way you show your work needs to do two things:

  • Support you in getting the right answer by not losing things/making mistakes

  • Be understandable by someone else (and I don't just mean the answer)

Let's do a few problems together.

Complete these problems (only do one of the two problems in each row, so either 1 or 2, either 3 or 4, etc.)

Challenge Problems