Question

multiply: ((w - 3)(w + 1)) simplify your answer.

Explanation:

Step1: Apply the distributive property (FOIL method)

To multiply \((u - 3)(u + 1)\), we use the distributive property (also known as the FOIL method for binomials). The FOIL method stands for First, Outer, Inner, Last.

• First: Multiply the first terms of each binomial: \(u \times u = u^2\)
• Outer: Multiply the outer terms: \(u \times 1 = u\)
• Inner: Multiply the inner terms: \(-3 \times u = -3u\)
• Last: Multiply the last terms: \(-3 \times 1 = -3\)

So, \((u - 3)(u + 1) = u^2 + u - 3u - 3\)

Step2: Combine like terms

Now, we combine the like terms (the terms with \(u\)):

\(u - 3u = -2u\)

So, substituting back, we get:

\(u^2 - 2u - 3\)

Answer:

\(u^2 - 2u - 3\)