The distributive property for multiplication tells us that
We can use this property and rules of exponents (from the previous section) to multiply out algebraic expressions involving parentheses. This is sometimes called expanding the expression.
If there are two terms in each factor, there are four terms in the product (from "FOIL"). Some of these may cancel or combine, however, leading to some special cases which appear frequently and are worth learning.
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To do these practice problems make sure that you have explained each step in the examples above. Then work the practice problems until you are sure you understand them. Then go and get more practice by taking the section test at the end of this section.
Note that you can get new practice problems by clicking the "Refresh" button at the bottom of the practice set.
