#$&* course Mth 158 12/10/2011 6:17 pm If your solution to stated problem does not match the given solution, you should self-critique per instructions at http://vhcc2.vhcc.edu/dsmith/geninfo/labrynth_created_fall_05/levl1_22/levl2_81/file3_259.htm.Your solution, attempt at solution:
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Given Solution: * * ** ERRONEOUS STUDENT SOLUTION: To make this problem into a single polynomial, you can group like terms together. (8-6)+ (4x^3-4x^3) + (-3x^2) + (8x) + (-1+2). Then solve from what you just grouped...2 (-3x^2+8x+1). INSTRUCTOR CORRECTION: 8 is multiplied by the first polynomial and 6 by the second. You need to follow the order of operations. Starting with 8 ( 4 x^3 - 3 x^2 - 1 ) - 6 ( 4 x^3 + 8 x - 2 ) use the Distributive Law to get 32 x^3 - 24 x^2 - 8 - 24 x^3 - 48 x + 12. Then add like terms to get 8x^3 - 24x^2 - 48x + 4 ** &&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&& Self-critique (if necessary): ok ------------------------------------------------ Self-critique Rating: ********************************************* Question: * R.4.60 (was R.5.54). What is the product (-2x - 3) ( 3 - x)? YYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYY Your solution: To solve we must distribute the contents of the first set of parenthesis throughout the second set of parenthesis. -2x(3-x) and -3(3-x), -6x+2x^2 and -9+3x. Combine like terms and we are left with 2x^2-3x-9. The answer is 2x^2-3x-9. confidence rating #$&*: 3 ^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^
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Given Solution: * * ** Many students like to use FOIL but it's much better to use the Distributive Law, which will later be applied to longer and more complicated expressions where FOIL does not help a bit. Starting with (-2x - 3) ( 3 - x) apply the Distributive Law to get -2x ( 3 - x) - 3 ( 3 - x). Then apply the Distributive Law again to get -2x(3) - 2x(-x) - 3 * 3 - 3 ( -x) and simiplify to get -6x + 2 x^2 - 9 + 3x. Add like terms to get 2 x^2 - 3 x - 9. ** &&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&& Self-critique (if necessary): ok ------------------------------------------------ Self-critique Rating: ********************************************* Question: * R.4.66 (was R.5.60). What is the product (x - 1) ( x + 1) and how did you obtain your result using a special product formula? YYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYY Your solution: To solve for the product of the two expressions, we use the distributive law. X(x+1) -1(x+1), x^2+x-x-1. Simplified we are left with x^2-1. The answer is x^2-1. confidence rating #$&*: 3 ^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^
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Given Solution: Starting with (x-1)(x+1) use the Distributive Law once to get x ( x + 1) - 1 ( x+1) then use the Distributive Law again to get x*x + x * 1 - 1 * x - 1 * 1. Simplify to get x^2 +- x - x + - 1. Add like terms to get x^2 - 1. ** &&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&& Self-critique (if necessary): Did not know what was meant by a special product formula.
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Given Solution: * * ** The Special Product is (a + b)^2 = a^2 + 2 a b + b^2. Letting a = 2x and b = 3y we substitute into the right-hand side a^2 + 2 a b + b^2 to get (2x)^2 + 2 * (2x) * (3y) + (3y)^2, which we expand to get 4 x^2 + 12 x y + 9 y^2. ** &&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&& Self-critique (if necessary):ok ------------------------------------------------ Self-critique Rating: ********************************************* Question: * R.4.105 \ 90 (was R.5.102). Explain why the degree of the product of two polynomials equals the sum of their degrees. YYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYY Your solution: The distributive law makes sure the greatest terms in each polynomial are multiplied. The highest power in the product of the two polynomials will be the sum of the degrees of the two polynomials. confidence rating #$&*: 3 ^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^
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Given Solution: * * ** STUDENT ANSWER AND INSTRUCTOR COMMENTS: The degree of the product of two polynomials equals the sum of their degrees because you use the law of exponenents and the ditributive property. INSTRUCOTR COMMENTS: Not bad. A more detailed explanation: The Distributive Law ensures that you will be multiplying the highest-power term in the first polynomial by the highest-power term in the second. Since the degree of each polynomial is the highest power present, and since the product of two powers gives you an exponent equal to the sum of those powers, the highest power in the product will be the sum of the degrees of the two polynomials. Since the highest power present in the product is the degree of the product, the degree of the product is the sum of the degrees of the polynomials. ** &&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&& Self-critique (if necessary): ------------------------------------------------ Self-critique Rating:ok * Add comments on any surprises or insights you experienced as a result of this assignment. " Self-critique (if necessary): ------------------------------------------------ Self-critique rating: * Add comments on any surprises or insights you experienced as a result of this assignment. " Self-critique (if necessary): ------------------------------------------------ Self-critique rating: #*&!