Question

1. (b - 2)(b + 1)

Explanation:

Step1: Apply distributive property (FOIL)

$(b-2)(b+1) = b(b+1) - 2(b+1)$

Step2: Expand each term

$= b^2 + b - 2b - 2$

Step3: Combine like terms

$= b^2 + (1-2)b - 2 = b^2 - b - 2$

Answer:

$b^2 - b - 2$