Expanding and Simplifying (x+1)(x+2)(x+3)
This article will guide you through the process of expanding and simplifying the expression (x+1)(x+2)(x+3).
Step 1: Expand the first two factors
First, we will expand the product of the first two factors, (x+1)(x+2):
(x+1)(x+2) = x(x+2) + 1(x+2)
= x² + 2x + x + 2
= x² + 3x + 2
Step 2: Expand the result with the third factor
Now, we multiply the result (x² + 3x + 2) by the third factor (x+3):
(x² + 3x + 2)(x+3) = x²(x+3) + 3x(x+3) + 2(x+3)
= x³ + 3x² + 3x² + 9x + 2x + 6
= x³ + 6x² + 11x + 6
Final Result
Therefore, the expanded and simplified form of (x+1)(x+2)(x+3) is x³ + 6x² + 11x + 6.
Key Points to Remember
- FOIL Method: You can use the FOIL method (First, Outer, Inner, Last) to expand two binomials.
- Distributive Property: Remember to apply the distributive property when multiplying a polynomial by a binomial.
- Combining Like Terms: Always combine like terms after each step to simplify the expression.
By following these steps, you can confidently expand and simplify any similar expression involving multiple factors.