Question

What is the middle term of the product of (x - 4)(x - 3)?
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Answer 1

Explanation:

= x(x-3) - 4(x-3)

= x²-3x - 4x + 12

= x² -7x +12

So -7x is the middle term

Answer 2

- 7x

Explanation:

Given

(x - 4)(x - 3)

Each term in the second factor is multiplied by each term in the first factor, that is

x(x - 3) - 4(x - 3) ← distribute both parenthesis

= x² - 3x - 4x + 12 ← collect like terms

= x² - 7x + 12

with middle term = - 7x