Expanding the Expression (3m^3 + m^2 - 2m - 5)(m^2 - 5m - 6)
This article will guide you through expanding the given expression: (3m^3 + m^2 - 2m - 5)(m^2 - 5m - 6). We will achieve this by using the distributive property and combining like terms.
Expanding the Expression
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Distribute the first term of the first polynomial: We start by multiplying each term of the second polynomial by 3m^3:
3m^3(m^2 - 5m - 6) = 3m^5 - 15m^4 - 18m^3
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Distribute the second term of the first polynomial: Next, we multiply each term of the second polynomial by m^2:
m^2(m^2 - 5m - 6) = m^4 - 5m^3 - 6m^2
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Distribute the third term of the first polynomial: We then multiply each term of the second polynomial by -2m:
-2m(m^2 - 5m - 6) = -2m^3 + 10m^2 + 12m
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Distribute the fourth term of the first polynomial: Finally, we multiply each term of the second polynomial by -5:
-5(m^2 - 5m - 6) = -5m^2 + 25m + 30
Combining Like Terms
Now, we add all the terms we got from the distribution steps. Remember to combine terms with the same variable and exponent:
3m^5 - 15m^4 - 18m^3 + m^4 - 5m^3 - 6m^2 - 2m^3 + 10m^2 + 12m - 5m^2 + 25m + 30
Combining like terms, we get:
3m^5 - 14m^4 - 25m^3 - m^2 + 37m + 30
Conclusion
Therefore, the expanded form of the expression (3m^3 + m^2 - 2m - 5)(m^2 - 5m - 6) is 3m^5 - 14m^4 - 25m^3 - m^2 + 37m + 30. This process involved the distributive property and the combination of like terms.