Question

multiply.
(w - 4)(w + 5)
simplify your answer.

Explanation:

Step1: Apply distributive property (FOIL)

Multiply each term in the first binomial by each term in the second binomial:
$(w - 4)(w + 5) = w \cdot w + w \cdot 5 - 4 \cdot w - 4 \cdot 5$

Step2: Simplify each term

Simplify the products:
$w \cdot w = w^2$, $w \cdot 5 = 5w$, $-4 \cdot w = -4w$, $-4 \cdot 5 = -20$

Step3: Combine like terms

Combine the middle terms ($5w - 4w$):
$w^2 + (5w - 4w) - 20 = w^2 + w - 20$

Answer:

$w^2 + w - 20$