Question

What is the coefficient of the third term of the trinomial? (In other words, what is C?)

(2x+3) (4x-1)= 8x²+ 10x-C

Give an explanation as well.

Answer 1

Hi!

In order to solve this, we need 'un factor' the factorization.

Given:

`(2x+3) (4x-1)`

Use the FOIL (Front, Outer, Inner, Last) distribution method:

`8x^2-2x+12x-3`

Combine like terms:

`8x^2+10x-3`

Therefore, -3 is your answer.

(Hint: notice that, if you wanted to shorten this step, you can simply look at the last two terms in each of the parentheses and multiply them. In this case, it's 3 and -1, and when multiplied that's -3 ~ we got the same answer from before!)